HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of online sales of alcohol to minors since 2010.

Norman Baker: The Home Office does not collect or hold statistics on under-age sales of alcohol and no assessment has been made of the number of online sales of alcohol to minors.
	The Government has made it clear that under-age selling cannot be tolerated. All licensed premises, including those conducting online sales, are required to have an age verification policy in place. The Government has doubled the maximum fine to £20,000 for persistent under-age sales and increased the powers available to the police and local authorities to deal with the offence of persistently selling alcohol to children. It has also issued statutory guidance for licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003, which specifically covers online sales.

Asylum: Wrexham

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many properties she has allocated for dispersed asylum seekers in the area of Wrexham county borough council.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 12 March 2014
	The Secretary of State for the Home Department does not allocate properties for dispersed asylum seekers in Wrexham or any other region in the United Kingdom.
	Accommodation and transport services for asylum seekers is provided under the COMPASS Contracts awarded in February 2012 to G4S Care and Justice (UK) Ltd, Serco Ltd and Clearel Ltd.
	Clearel Ltd is the COMPASS provider in Wrexham and is operating 14 properties there. According to published statistics (see following link), at the end of quarter 3 2013, there were 38 asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation in Wrexham.
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tables-for-immigration-statistics-october-to-december-2013

Dogs: Imports

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures her Department has in place to (a) safeguard biosecurity and (b) protect against animal welfare violations regarding the importing of dogs from eastern Europe to the UK.

George Eustice: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	Every dog, cat and ferret entering the UK must be vaccinated against rabies, with the details of the treatment recorded in an EU pet passport or third country certificate. Dogs, cats and ferrets entering from the EU or from lower risk non-EU countries must wait 21 days after vaccination before travelling. More stringent rules are in place for those coming from higher risk non-EU countries. These include a blood test 30 days after vaccination followed by a three-month wait before travelling. Dogs travelling from countries other than Ireland, Finland, and Malta and Norway must also be treated against the Echinococcus multilocuiaris tapeworm one to five days prior to arrival in the UK. Dogs, cats and ferrets imported for sale or rehoming under the commercial import rules are subject to the same requirements as well as additional rules, including a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian prior to travel.
	The UK operates a robust checking regime to make sure that dogs entering the UK do not pose a risk to animal and human health. Ferry, rail and air operators are approved to carry pets on the basis that they check every pet dog, cat or ferret travelling with its owner for compliance with the rules of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Meanwhile dogs, cats and ferrets imported for sale or rehoming are subject to risk-based post-import checks.
	The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 includes a provision that pet animals should not be transported “in a way which causes or is likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering”. Transporters of dogs imported in connection with an economic activity are subject to the requirements of Council Regulation 1/2005.

Drugs: Misuse

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the sale of legal highs.

Norman Baker: holding answer 12 March 2014
	The coalition Government has already banned hundreds of so-called ‘legal highs’, more accurately termed new psychoactive substances. We work closely with law enforcement to tackle this reckless trade.
	Concerted action, started in November, has so far resulted in over 40 arrests and seizures of new psychoactive substances, including 9 kilograms by Kent police.
	On 12 December 2013, Official Report, columns 57-8WS, I laid a written ministerial statement before Parliament announcing a review to look at how the UK's response to new psychoactive substances can be further strengthened by enhancing our legislative, health and educational response. The terms of reference for the review can be found on the Home Office website.

Entry Clearances

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations and resources her Department has put in place to address the backlog of deferred visa applications following a decision on her Department's appeal against the judgment of Mr Justice Blake on 5 July 2013 on the Government's visa income threshold.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 11 March 2014
	UK Visas and Immigration are closely monitoring the number of applications on hold pending the outcome of the appeal. The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal on 4 and 5 March 2014 and the Home Secretary awaits the final determination of the courts. It would be wrong to pre-empt the court's decision in this matter, or indeed when the court is likely to make that determination.
	These are factors that will inform the Department's approach to clearing the applications placed on hold. Policy and operational teams are considering a range of options that may best accommodate a clearance programme once the court finally determines the case.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people on Tier 2 visas studying medicine left the country in each year since 2010;
	(2)  how many people entered the UK on Tier 2 visas to study medicine in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 13 March 2014
	Tier 2 is a route in which applicants are sponsored for skilled work, not for study. Students coming to the UK to study degrees in medicine normally apply in Tier 4.
	Postgraduate doctors can be sponsored for work-based training in Tier 2, but it is not possible to identify the number of these without reviewing individual case records.

EU Law: Firearms

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from (a) the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and (b) the Countryside Alliance on the review of the EU Firearms Directive.

Norman Baker: Representations regarding the review of the EU firearms directive have been received from the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation (FACE UK) and from the British Shooting Sport Council, of which both the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Countryside Alliance are members.

Firearms: Licensing

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she or Ministers in her Department have had with (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and (b) Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) about HMIC conducting a review of police forces' performance in issuing and monitoring firearms certificates; and if she will make it her policy to request HMIC undertakes such a review.

Damian Green: Firearms licensing is one of the thematic inspections that Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is currently considering for its 2014-15 inspection programme.
	HMIC is required by law to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), before laying its annual inspection programme before Parliament. The possible need for a thematic inspection on firearms licensing will be one of the issues the Home Secretary will take into consideration when deciding whether to approve the Inspectorate's programme of work for 2014-15.
	This decision will be partly based on advice from the National Policing Lead for Firearms and Explosives on the benefits of an inspection as a means of assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the licensing process.

Immigration Bill

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to conduct a full child rights impact assessment of the Immigration Bill covering (a) its effect on both migrant and British children, (b) the implications of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights for Clause 14, (c) healthcare charges and (d) immigration checks by landlords in the private rental sector; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office is committed to considering the impact of all new policies and legislation, including where they impact specifically on children. Careful regard has been had to the best interests of children in the UK in framing the provisions of the Immigration Bill. We are satisfied that the Bill, including the provisions on article 8, healthcare charges and landlords, is compatible with our obligations under the UN convention on the rights of the child and with the children's duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. The Home Office has published an impact assessment of the Immigration Bill and a European Convention on Human Rights Memorandum, and has no plans to conduct a separate child rights impact assessment.

Immigration Controls

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the security risk caused by the boarding pass exchange at Gatwick arrivals, where Irish and Channel Islands passengers mix with passengers needing passports to go through UK Border Control.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 13 March 2014
	Irish and Channel Islands passengers share the International Arrivals Hall at Gatwick South but are dealt with separately. Intelligence-led exercises undertaken at Gatwick airport by the Border Force since 2011 have not identified any specific abuse of the Common Travel Area but nevertheless the Border Force has local standard operating procedures in place to mitigate any new threats as they emerge.
	Gatwick Airport Ltd has responsibility for the security and integrity of the CTA Channel and operates it robustly to the satisfaction of the Border Force.

Passports: Databases

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passengers (a) leaving the UK and (b) entering the UK had their passport details checked against Interpol's SLTD database in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 13 March 2014
	It is long-standing policy not to disclose details of records which may be held in relation to arrivals in the United Kingdom, as to do so would not be in the interests of border and national security.

Passports: Theft

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions passengers or potential passengers have been arrested as a result of Interpol identifying stolen passports used or about to be used on (a) flights to and (b) transit flights through UK airports in each of the last 10 years.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 13 March 2014
	The Home Office does not hold the information requested.

Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2014, Official Report, column 713, on police integrity, what progress has been made towards ensuring that those officers under investigation for misconduct are not allowed to avoid sanctions or charges through leaving the force; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: If an allegation is criminal, an investigation will always be pursued to conclusion. When the allegation concerns a breach of professional standards and a case to answer for gross misconduct has been established, officers who submit their resignation will be added to a list of struck-off officers held by the College of Policing. The Home Office and the College of Policing are currently finalising arrangements to make that list public. Officers who are under investigation for gross misconduct, but who leave a police force before a case to answer has been established, will also be added to this list where the chief officer of the force feels that this would be appropriate having reviewed the case, including where the resignation is a ploy to evade the finding of a case to answer.

Social Networking: Radicalism

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking via social media to help tackle misinformation from extremist and radicalisation groups.

James Brokenshire: We know terrorist and extremist groups make extensive use of the internet and social media to spread their propaganda. The PM-chaired Extremism Taskforce established in the wake of the Woolwich attack made a number of recommendations for combating extremist propaganda, particularly online. The report from the ETF can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-extremism-in-the-uk-report-by-the-extremism-taskforce
	Under the Government's Prevent strategy, which aims to stop people becoming involved in and supporting terrorism, our approach to challenging extremism online involves working with industry, law enforcement, civil society groups and the public. We have worked with digital communications experts to help civil society groups exploit the potential of the internet, and we will be expanding this work in line with ETF recommendations.
	This Government take action against illegal terrorist content online. The police's Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) has removed over 26,000 pieces of illegal terrorist content online since February 2010. Under the proposed EFT measures, we are looking to further restrict access to illegal content hosted overseas. We are also working with industry to identify harmful extremist material to include within family friendly filters, to try to bring consistency to industry terms of use in respect of extremist content and to make it easier for the public to refer material of concern.

Visas

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people working through an ICT visa in the UK have applied to move from a short-term to long-term visa in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: It is not possible to switch from a short-term to a long-term Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa from within the UK.
	Short-term ICT workers may apply to return to the UK as long-term ICT workers, providing they will be paid at least £40,600 per year on their return. Home Office systems do not record the number of applicants who make such applications to return in an easily identifiable way.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Terrorism

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many royal pardons have been granted to terrorists convicted of offences in connection with the Northern Ireland troubles.

Theresa Villiers: The Royal Prerogative of Mercy has been granted 18 times since 1998 in respect of individuals convicted of terrorist offences relating to Northern Ireland.
	The RPM has not been used since 2002.

Terrorism

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters of comfort have been sent since May 2010.

Theresa Villiers: The term “letter of comfort” is not the appropriate terminology in this instance. Under the administrative scheme for dealing with so called ‘on-the-runs', 12 letters have been issued since May 2010 advising the recipients that they were not wanted for arrest on the date the letter was issued.

Terrorism

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision there will be for members of the public to contribute to the independent inquiry into the on-the-run scheme announced by the Prime Minister on 27 February 2014.

Theresa Villiers: The independent review by Lady Justice Hallett will welcome submissions from members of the public. Details of how these submissions can be made will be announced shortly by the judge's secretariat.

SCOTLAND

Currencies

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish organisations and businesses on their preferred currency in an independent Scotland.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael), and I regularly engage with Scottish organisations and businesses on a wide range of issues.

Dounreay

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  when his Department was first informed of the problem with the reactor cooling system at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment;
	(2)  whether his predecessor was informed of the problem with the reactor cooling systems at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment when he visited the facility on 2 April 2012;
	(3)  whether he was informed of the problem with the reactor cooling system at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment on taking office.

Alistair Carmichael: The Scotland Office was first notified in September 2012. With no safety or environmental risk in Scotland, there is no reason why the Scotland Office should have been notified at an earlier stage. As recognised by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, this occurrence was classed Level 0 (below scale—no safety significance) on the International Atomic Energy Agency scale. As made clear in the Secretary of State for Defence’s, the right hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), statement to the House on 6 March 2014, Level 0 events are not routinely made public and are not routinely reported in either the civil or military nuclear sectors.
	The previous Secretary of State for Scotland visited the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) at Dounreay on 2 April 2012 for a meeting with Rolls Royce on its business priorities in Scotland. He did not meet MOD officials during the visit and the matter was not discussed with Rolls Royce.
	I was informed of the decision to refuel HMS Vanguard, including the background on the prototype core at Dounreay in February 2014 ahead of the Secretary of State for Defence's announcement to the House on 6 March 2014.

Energy: Billing

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the change in average household energy bills in Scotland since 2010.

Alistair Carmichael: We know rising energy bills are a serious concern for consumers in Scotland and across the rest of the UK. We are sustaining vital financial support for the most vulnerable consumers and have delivered a £50 reduction in energy bills by driving down the cost of the green levies.
	DECC publishes bill estimates for Scotland in the DECC statistics publication Quarterly Energy Prices:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/annual-domestic-energy-price-statistics
	The following table shows annual average domestic fuel bills in Scotland from 2010 to 2013:
	
		
			 Average annual fuel bill (£) 
			  Gas Electricity Total (£) 
			 2010 628 414 1,042 
			 2011 687 446 1,133 
			 2012 763 469 1,232 
			 2013 810 499 1,309 
			 Note: Bills expressed in cash terms

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Legal Profession: Industrial Disputes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what discussions he had with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) about the decision by the DPP to send prosecutors at the independent Bar a letter discouraging them from supporting industrial action over reductions in criminal legal aid.

Dominic Grieve: I was made aware that a letter was to be issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) areas to heads of chambers prior to the 7 March action. The letter did not discourage barristers undertaking legal aid work from participating in the industrial action but reminded barristers of their professional obligations to appear as instructed in criminal cases where they are acting on behalf of the prosecution. Given that the CPS is not a party to any dispute, there is no justification for failing to do so and therefore it is entirely legitimate for CPS areas to remind barristers of their obligations to the CPS.

Theft: Metals

Philip Davies: To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the effects on prosecutions of the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Pace and another v. R on 18 February 2014, EWCA Crim 186.

Oliver Heald: I have made no personal assessment of the case of Pace and Another v. R. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), however, has considered the implications of the judgment for similar prosecutions. The CPS recognises that in future cases of this nature, prosecutors will need to ensure there is sufficient evidence to show an accused believed the property was stolen.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Direct Selling

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to publish an action plan for tackling nuisance calls.

Edward Vaizey: Tackling nuisance calls is one of my top priorities and we have achieved greater co-operation between the two regulators (the Office of Communications and the Information Commissioner's Office), improved guidance and information for consumers and also ensured more effective enforcement of the existing regulations. We will be publishing our action plan for nuisance calls shortly, which will set out the substantial progress that has been made so far, work under way and our future plans.

Empty Property

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the empty property business rates for the vacant properties recorded on the e-PIMS database owned by (a) her Department and (b) any Executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies of her Department in the current financial year.

Helen Grant: The Department does not have any vacant properties.

Secondment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 424W, on secondments, to which private sector organisations the civil servants in 2011-12 were seconded.

Helen Grant: In 2011-12, one civil servant in my Department was seconded to the following private sector organisations:
	
		
			 Name of private-sector organisation Number of civil servants 
			 LOCOG 1 
		
	
	In the answer I gave on 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 424W, I stated that two civil servants were seconded to private sector organisations. This answer was based on financial years, rather than calendar years. In fact, since 2010, three civil servants in the Department were seconded to the following private sector organisations.
	No civil servants were seconded to trade unions.
	
		
			 Number 
			 Financial year (a) Private sector (b) Trade unions 
			 April 2010 to March 2011 1 0 
			 April 2011 to March 2012 1 0 
			 April 2012 to March 2013 1 0 
			 April 2013 to date 0 0

Trade Union Officials

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding her Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many days staff spent on those activities in each of those years.

Helen Grant: The following table shows the total funding provided for staff in each of the last three financial years.
	
		
			 £ 
			  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (to date) 
			 Total funding for staff to carry out trade union activities 69,249.65 69,949.30 31,082.89 
		
	
	The following tables show the percentage of time that Trade Union representatives spent to carry out industrial relations and trade union activities, in the last three financial years.
	
		
			 Financial year 2013-14 
			  Number of employees Percentage of time spent on industrial relations and trade union activities (%) Number of days spent on industrial relations and trade union activities 
			 Branch Chair1 1 100 128 
			 Branch Secretary1 1 20 12.7 
			 Organiser 1 5 12.8 
			 Treasury 1 5 12.8 
			 Health and Safety representative1 1 5 5 
			 Local Representatives 3 5 212.8 
			 1 These members of staff left the Department in the financial year 2013-14 and have not been replaced. 2 Days per representative. 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial year 2012-13 
			  Number of employees Percentage of time spent on industrial relations and trade union activities (%) Number of days spent on industrial relations and trade union activities 
			 Branch Chair 1 100 256 
			 Branch Secretary 1 20 51 
			 Organiser 1 5 12.8 
			 Treasury 1 5 12.8 
			 Health and Safety representative 1 5 5 
			 Local Representatives 3 5 112.8 
			 1 Days per representative. 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial year 2011-12 
			  Number of employees Percentage of time spent on industrial relations and trade union activities (%) Number of days spent on industrial relations and trade union activities 
			 Branch Chair 1 100 256 
			 Branch Secretary 1 20 51 
			 Organiser 1 5 12.8 
		
	
	
		
			 Treasury 1 5 12.8 
			 Health and Safety representative 1 5 5 
			 Local Representatives 3 5 112.8 
			 1 Days per representative.

TREASURY

Bus Services

Karen Lumley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the introduction of a salary sacrifice scheme for bus commuters.

David Gauke: Bus commuters, including the lowest earners, can already benefit from targeted tax incentives where employers provide free or subsidised work buses or they subsidise public bus services.
	Salary sacrifice arrangements can be operated in conjunction with these tax exemptions as long as all the statutory conditions are met. In particular, they cannot be used by the lowest earners working at or close to the national minimum wage.
	Additionally, there is a tax exemption for small employment-related loans provided at less than commercial rates of interest which are often used to purchase season tickets. At Budget 2013 it was announced that the threshold for the small loans exemption limit would double from £5,000 to £10,000.

Business: Government Assistance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further fiscal steps he plans to take to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector.

David Gauke: The Government are committed to making the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business, and are taking steps to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector. At the autumn statement, the Government announced a package of business rates measures, including extending the doubling of the small business rate relief for a further year from 1 April 2014. For two years from April 2014 there will be a new £1,000 business rates discount for small retail properties (including pubs, cafes and restaurants) with rateable values of below £50,000.
	To help with staff costs, from April 2014 the employment allowance will enable every business to deduct up to £2,000 from their employer NICs bill each year. From April 2015, employer national insurance contributions (NICs) for under 21-year-olds (i.e. aged 20 and under) on earnings up to £813 a week will be abolished, benefiting many employers in the hospitality sector.

Business: Government Assistance

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include measures in the 2014 Budget statement to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector.

David Gauke: In accordance with the practice of all Administrations, it would not be proper to pre-empt the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement. However, the Government are committed to making the UK the best place in Europe to start, finance and grow a business, and are taking steps to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality sector.
	At the autumn statement the Government announced a package of business rates measures, including extending the doubling of the small business rate relief for a further year from 1 April 2014. For two years from April 2014 there will be a new £1,000 business rates discount to support small retail properties (including pubs, cafes, and restaurants) with rateable values of below £50,000.
	To help with staff costs, from April 2014 the employment allowance will enable every business to deduct up to £2,000 from their employer NICs bill each year. From April 2015, employer national insurance contributions (NICs) for under 21-year-olds (ie aged 20 and under) on earnings up to £813 a week will be abolished, benefiting many employers in the hospitality sector.

Corporation Tax: Wrexham

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in corporation tax by businesses registered in Wrexham constituency in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of such taxation was paid by small and medium-sized enterprises.

David Gauke: The amount of corporation tax liable for payment by businesses with a registered address in the Wrexham parliamentary constituency for accounting periods ending in financial year 2011-12 was £15 million. This is the latest year for which figures are available.
	Figures on the amount of tax paid, broken down by company size, are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. HMRC does hold information on corporation tax liability by the rates at which corporation tax is charged on companies’ chargeable profits. However, we are unable to disclose the proportionate breakdowns for Wrexham, as this would be a breach of HMRC’s statistical disclosure control policy to protect taxpayer confidentiality.

Excise Duties

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the average UK consumer pays per year in (a) fuel duty and (b) alcohol excise duty; and if he will make a statement.

Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer on 28 February 2014, Official Report, column 591W.

Exports

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK’s largest export industry by value is.

David Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), on 11 March 2014, Official Report, column 151W.

Housing: Northern Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to address levels of negative equity and home repossessions in Northern Ireland.

Sajid Javid: The Government recognise that many homeowners in Northern Ireland faced a significant fall in the value of their homes following the financial crisis, and that although the housing market is now showing signs of improvement, prices have been slower to recover these than in some other parts of the UK.
	In terms of policies the UK Government are responsible for, the Pre-Action Protocol legislation, as well as the Financial Conduct Authority's rules, require that the repossession of a property must always be the last resort for lenders. This means that lenders must consider alternatives to repossession before they can take possession of a property.
	It is also worth being aware that the Financial Conduct Authority's rules prevent mortgage lenders from taking commercial advantage of customers who are in negative equity and therefore may not be able to remortgage to another provider. For example, lenders cannot charge customers higher fees and interest rates than other similar customers because they are in negative equity.
	The Northern Ireland Executive has devolved responsibility for social security and welfare-related policies related to support for homeowners, including the administration of Support for Mortgage Interest in Northern Ireland.

Income Tax: Wrexham

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) higher rate taxpayers and (b) people who earn over £1 million there were in Wrexham constituency in the last year for which figures are available.

David Gauke: It is estimated that 3,000 individuals in the Wrexham constituency were higher rate taxpayers where the higher rate of income tax was their highest marginal rate for 2011-12.
	Reliable estimates for individuals with total income over £1 million in the Wrexham constituency are not available due to small sample sizes.
	Estimates are based on Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) data for 2011-12.

Minimum Wage: South East

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fines have been issued to employers in (a) Portsmouth South constituency, (b) Hampshire and (c) the South East for non-payment of the national minimum wage in each year since 2010; and what the total value of such fines was in each such area.

David Gauke: The Government take the enforcement of NMW very seriously and HMRC enforces the national minimum wage legislation on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It does that by investigating all complaints made about employers suspected of not paying the minimum wage, in addition carrying out targeted enforcement where it identifies a high risk of non-payment of NMW across the whole of the UK.
	HMRC does not capture complaints or the outcomes of its investigations by reference to Government regions, constituencies or county. Its management information relates to the work of teams who are multi-located. Additionally, because it resources to risk, work relating to a specific geographical area is not always done by the NMW team based in that area.
	Prior to 6 April 2009, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued penalty notices to those employers who failed to comply, within 28 days, with an enforcement notice. A new enforcement regime, introduced in April 2009, saw the introduction of automatic penalties for employers who are found to have underpaid their workers.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Corby (Andy Sawford) on 24 February 2014, Official Report, column 30W, for the number of companies that have received financial penalties from HM Revenue and Customs for non-payment of the minimum wage across the UK in the financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13. Between 1 April 2013 and 28 February this year, HMRC has issued 561 penalties across the UK for non-payment of the national minimum wage, with a combined value of £671,524.

Monetary Policy Committee

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many women have been short-listed for positions on the Monetary Policy Committee since 2010; how many of those on each (a) short-listing panel and (b) appointments panel were women; and what steps he has taken to identify qualified female candidates and encourage them to apply;
	(2)  how many women were short-listed for the position of Deputy Governor of the Bank of England; how many of those on the (a) short-listing panel and (b) appointments panel were women; and what steps he took to identify qualified female candidates and encourage them to apply for that position.

Sajid Javid: Positions on the Monetary Policy Committee are advertised widely and are subject to open competition. Diversity is always an important consideration and the Government are always very keen to attract candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.
	Four women have served on the MPC:
	Rachel Lomax;
	Marian Bell;
	DeAnne Julius; and
	Kate Barker.
	The Government would like to see a greater number of women apply for future vacancies on the MPC and will continue to encourage them to do so.
	When Ian McCafferty was appointed in 2012, the chief economic adviser at the Treasury and chair of the Interview Panel sent a standard email to 66 people, of whom 48% were women, who may have been interested and suitable for the position. The purpose was to draw peoples' attention to the vacancy without prejudice. Of the five appointments made to the MPC since 2010, three had a woman sitting on the panel.
	The process to appoint the new Deputy Governor is ongoing, and it would not be appropriate to reveal information of this kind before the process has concluded. The appointment panel, as published when the role was advertised, comprises:
	Sir Nicholas Macpherson;
	Sharon White;
	Dave Ramsden; and
	Sir David Lees.

Mortgages: Succession

Richard Harrington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had on the effects of shared appreciation mortgage schemes on the status of estates left behind after the death of the loan applicant.

Sajid Javid: The Government are aware that approximately 15,000 shared appreciation mortgages were sold in the late 1990s, with the subsequent increase in property prices resulting in many people owing more money than they had expected.
	The Financial Ombudsman Service has received a number of complaints from people who purchased shared appreciation mortgages and are alert to the issues involved. The Financial Ombudsman Service said in its Annual Review for 2003-04 that in most cases it had not upheld the shared appreciation mortgage mis-selling complaints it had received because it had concluded that the documents were extremely clear and the terms had been fully explained to the borrowers.
	Shared appreciation mortgages have been subject to conduct regulation since 2004. The Financial Conduct Authority has rules regarding the information that has to be disclosed before, during and after sale and, in addition, rules in respect of the advice that should be given to consumers.

Non-domestic Rates: Brigg

Andrew Percy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses in Brigg and Goole constituency which will be affected by the extension of the small business rate relief scheme to March 2015.

David Gauke: No estimate has been made by the Treasury of the number of small businesses in Brigg and Goole constituency that will be affected by the extension of the small business rate relief (SBRR) scheme to March 2015, which was announced at the Autumn Statement 2013.
	The Government estimate that around 540,000 small businesses in England will benefit from the extension of the SBRR and that around 60,000 of these small businesses will be in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Taxation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which consumer goods products sold in the UK are subject to the highest levels of tax per product; what the level of tax is on each such product; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consumer goods products sold in the UK attract the highest levels of tax per product; and what level of tax is so levied.

Nicky Morgan: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 12 March 2014, Official Report, column 227W.

Taxation: Mothers

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that the tax system does not disadvantage families with stay-at-home mothers.

David Gauke: The Government have taken a number of steps to help all families. For example, we have increased the income tax personal allowance, helping 25 million people. We have cut fuel duty. It now costs £7 less for a typical motorist to fill their tank, and it will cost £11 less by the end of the Parliament. We have also made funding available to help local authorities in England freeze their council tax for a third year in a row.
	Additionally, the Government will introduce the transferable tax allowance for married couples from April 2015. This will allow married couples and civil partners to transfer a fixed amount of their personal allowance to their spouse. Doing so will benefit couples where one spouse does not currently use their full personal allowance.

VAT

Pauline Latham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings have accrued to the Exchequer as a result of lowering the low value consignment relief threshold in the 2011 Finance Bill from £18 to £15.

David Gauke: The low value consignment relief threshold for imports from non-EU countries was reduced from £18 to £15 in November 2011.
	This information request can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Wine and Spirit Trade Association

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include in his Budget 2014 measures included in the wine and spirit trade association submission.

Nicky Morgan: The Government carefully consider all the representations we receive ahead of the Budget.

Working Tax Credit: Scotland

Jim Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in working tax credits payments to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year.

Nicky Morgan: Using finalised annual tax credits awards data, total entitlement to working tax credits in the respective local authority areas for 2011-12 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Entitlement 
			 Local authority area £ million 
			 Glasgow City 97.6 
			 City of Edinburgh 46.9 
			 Dundee City 22.7 
			 Aberdeen City 16.8 
			 Note: This information pertains to working tax credits (WTC) entitlement only. Some WTC recipients also receive child tax credits.

EDUCATION

Chemistry: Teachers

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many secondary school chemistry teachers have a chemistry degree.

David Laws: The Department for Education estimates that in November 2012, 66% of chemistry teachers in publicly-funded secondary schools in England had a degree level or higher qualification in the subject. This is an increase from 60% in 2010. 89% of chemistry teachers in publicly-funded secondary schools in England had a degree level or higher qualification in science, an increase from 85% in 2010.
	This information is from the School Workforce Census and is published in Table 13 of the School Workforce in England Statistical First Release, November 2012. It is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2012

Children's Centres

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the effects of children's centre closures on the long-term development of children from disadvantaged families.

Elizabeth Truss: It is for local authorities, in line with their statutory duties, to ensure there are sufficient children's centres to meet local need and to consult, particularly with disadvantaged families, before opening or closing a children's centre or making significant changes to children's centre services. A recent survey by 4children showed that more families—over a million— than ever before are benefiting from children’s centre services.
	Information from local authorities shows that at 30 November 2013, 3,055 children's centres were open, and a further 501 additional sites were designated as children's centres in April 2010 that remain open and offer services to families and children as part of a network of children's centres. Information from local authorities show that only 65 have closed since April 2010 and six new centres have opened.

Commonwealth: Education

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure children are taught about the Commonwealth during their primary school years.

Elizabeth Truss: Primary schools are free to decide whether pupils should be taught about the Commonwealth. The national curriculum for history at key stage 2 states that pupils should study an aspect or theme in British history beyond 1066, which schools can use to teach about the Commonwealth. At key stage 3 pupils should study British history from 1745 to 1901, including the development of Empire, which can include an in-depth study, for example of India. Later, they should study the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day, which can include the end of Empire and Britain's place in the world since 1945. Key stage 4 citizenship education covers the United Kingdom's current relations with Europe, the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the wider world.

Faith Schools

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will continue to provide additional funding for the security requirements of Jewish faith schools after 2015.

David Laws: We will carefully review this issue in the spring.

Free Schools

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure free schools do not teach intolerance to their students.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education has put in place robust processes to ensure the integrity of the free schools programme. Only free school applications that promote fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs in their teachings and policies will be approved. Extensive checks are also carried out on those setting up and running free schools.
	Free schools' funding agreements explicitly require them to promote fundamental British values and community cohesion, and preclude the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school. Free schools are also subject to the public sector equality duty, which requires them to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people.
	Free schools are subject to regular inspections by Ofsted. Ofsted's inspection framework includes a focus on pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, which enables inspectors to identify inappropriate practice.

Free Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools officials in his Department have visited in connection with finding (a) permanent and (b) temporary sites for free schools due to open in September 2014.

Edward Timpson: We do not hold the information requested centrally and collating it would incur disproportionate cost.
	Officials, agents and contractors working for the Department for Education regularly visit potential permanent and temporary sites, including former school buildings, for free schools approved to open in September 2014 and beyond.

Head Teachers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the application process will (a) open and (b) close for the Champions League of Head Teachers scheme.

David Laws: The Deputy Prime Minister announced on 24 October 2013, in his speech on education and outstanding leaders, that the Government will be setting up a programme to get outstanding leaders into the schools that need them the most. At the North of England Education Conference, I announced the new Talented Leaders Programme.
	The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is currently leading an open and competitive tender process to contract a provider to deliver the Talented Leaders Programme. The tender process started in January 2014 and will end in April 2014 when the contract will be awarded.
	Once the contract has been awarded, the provider will work in partnership with the NCTL to finalise the delivery model. The precise dates relating to the opening and closing of the application process will be confirmed after the contract is awarded. It is expected that the first application round will open in the autumn term 2014. The first cohort of talented leaders will be deployed in schools by September 2015.

Head Teachers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's target is for the number of (a) applications and (b) recruits to the Champions League of Head Teachers scheme.

David Laws: The Deputy Prime Minister announced on 24 October 2013, in his speech on education and outstanding leaders, that the Government will be setting up a programme to get outstanding leaders into the schools that need them the most. At the North of England Education Conference, I announced the new Talented Leaders Programme.
	The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is leading an open and competitive tender process to contract a provider to deliver the Talented Leaders Programme. The tender process started in January 2014 and will end in April 2014 when the contract will be awarded.
	The programme has a target within its first two years to recruit and deploy 100 talented leaders to headship positions in schools facing challenging circumstances.

Health Education: Drugs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to ensure school children are taught about the harmful effects of drugs.

Elizabeth Truss: Pupils will learn about the effects of drugs on behaviour and health as part of the new science national curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 from September 2014. Teachers can also cover the issue through personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) lessons, drawing on specialist resources such as the PSHE Association draft programme of study, and the new drug and alcohol information and advice service for practitioners (ADEPIS), delivered by Mentor UK.

Independent Schools

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education by what means the National College for Teaching and Leadership agency gathers information on child protection issues in independent schools.

Edward Timpson: The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) does not gather information on child protection issues except when it receives referrals regarding serious teacher misconduct. The NCTL can receive referrals regarding allegations of child abuse at independent schools from the employer, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and the police. Where an offence is involved, it is likely that the referral will come from the police under the Notifiable Occupations Scheme. Where an employer makes a referral to DBS, DBS will send a copy of the referral to NCTL where serious misconduct of a teacher is involved.

Music: Curriculum

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to encourage the study of classical music in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to encourage the study of a musical instrument in both (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Elizabeth Truss: Under the new national curriculum music will continue to be taught to all pupils in maintained schools from key stages 1 to 3.
	Under the new curriculum, there is a greater focus on the historical development of music, and on listening to the work of great composers and musicians. As pupils progress they will be taught to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. From key stage 2 they will also be taught to use and understand staff notation.
	The new national curriculum will also ensure that pupils will be taught how to play tuned and untuned instruments musically, fluently and with accuracy and expression; and how to perform confidently in a range of solo and ensemble contexts. They will also be taught how to improvise.
	Although academies do not have to follow the national curriculum, they are required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, and to provide for pupils' cultural development.
	At key stage 4, music remains within the arts ‘entitlement' area, within the national curriculum. Maintained schools must provide access to at least one course in each entitlement area.
	We have continued to provide substantial amounts of funding for music education programmes from 2012 to 2015. This includes £171 million for the new network of 123 music education hubs which are working to improve the quality and consistency of music education in schools across the country. One of their core roles is to ensure that every child aged five to 18 has the chance to learn a musical instrument through whole class ensemble teaching. Hubs are also expected to provide opportunities for children to play in ensembles and to perform, and to ensure that clear progression routes are available and affordable to all young people.
	We additionally fund the music and dance scheme, which supports exceptionally talented young musicians and dancers; National Youth Music Organisations, which allow talented pupils to perform in national ensembles; Music for Youth, which provides opportunities for young musicians to perform in some of the UK's most prestigious venues; and the In Harmony programme, which aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in six of the most deprived areas of the country through community-based orchestral music making.

National Curriculum Tests

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department has given on the proportion of the questions in the revised key stage 2 mathematics tests which should be (a) real life problems and (b) abstract arithmetical calculations.

Elizabeth Truss: At present, no guidance has been published on the tests of the new national curriculum to be administered from the academic year 2015 to 2016. Guidance on the nature of the revised key stage 1 and key stage 2 tests, including mathematics, will be published by the Standards and Testing Agency in the form of test framework documents. The frameworks are due to be released as part of the Government's response to the primary assessment and accountability consultation. In addition, some example test questions will be made available to schools this summer and a full sample test will be made available in the summer of 2015.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had on introducing compulsory sex and relationship education in schools with (a) teachers, (b) parents, (c) religious bodies and (d) organisations with an interest in young people's welfare; and if he will publish the results of those discussions.

Elizabeth Truss: Sex and relationship education (SRE) is compulsory in maintained secondary schools and many academies choose to teach it. Primary schools do not have to teach sex and relationship education but many choose to do so in later years. When teaching SRE, all schools (including academies through their funding agreements) must have regard to the Secretary of State's statutory guidance.
	Schools are encouraged to develop their SRE practice with the support of specialist organisations and expert professionals who are best placed to provide schools with up-to-date materials and advice on changing technologies that fit within the framework of our sex and relationship education guidance.

Primary Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the provision of guaranteed reception class places for children aged five who were born between 1 August and 1 September.

David Laws: Parents of all summer-born children (children born between 1 April and 31 August) can request that their child is offered a reception class place following their fifth birthday. It is for the admission authority and school head to consider the individual circumstances of each case in arriving at a decision.

Pupil Exclusions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students were permanently excluded from school for violence against a member of staff in 2013.

Elizabeth Truss: Any form of violence in school is completely unacceptable. The Government expect schools to take immediate and robust action if incidents of violence occur.
	Data collected on the reasons for exclusion include information on physical assault and verbal abuse or threatening behaviour against an adult, but not specifically against members of staff. The terms ‘physical assault' and ‘verbal abuse', as collected in the school census, cover a range of offences. Further detail on the reasons covered under each of these terms is published as part of the Schools Census Guidance1.
	The number of permanent exclusions for these reasons has been falling in recent years. In the 2011/12 academic year there were 550 permanent exclusions for physical assault against an adult, compared with 580 in 2009/10. In addition, there were 470 permanent exclusions for verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against an adult2 in 2011/12, compared with 630 in 2009/10. Exclusion data for the 2012/13 academic year will be available in summer 2014.
	1 Available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/school-census
	2 Available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-from-schools-in-england-2011-to-2012-academic-year

Pupils: Absenteeism

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in which (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area more than (i) 10, (ii) 20, (iii) 30 and (iv) 40 per cent of pupils were classified as persistent absentees in the latest year for which figures are available.

Elizabeth Truss: The requested information has been placed in the House Library.
	The last full year for which data are available is 2011/12. Overall persistent absence fell by 15% from 2010/11 to 2011/12, from 379,035 pupils missing 15% of school time in 2010/11 to 320,880 in 2011/12.
	In 2011/12, there were 300 state-funded primary schools and 661 state-funded secondary schools with a persistent absentee rate of 10% or higher compared to 700 state-funded primary schools and 981 state-funded secondary schools in 2010/11.
	The number of pupils missing 15% or more of school is down from 450,330 in the first two terms of 2010/11 to 310,580 in the first two terms of 2012/13.

Religion: Education

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of religious education lessons were taught by non-subject specialists in each of the last five years.

David Laws: The following table shows the proportion of hours of religious education lessons taught by teachers with no relevant post A-level qualification in religious education. The data were collected in November 2010, 2011 and 2012 and represent a typical week's lessons in religious education as taught by publicly funded secondary schools in England. Data are not available on a consistent basis before 2010.
	
		
			  Proportion of hours of religious education lessons taught by non-specialist1 teachers 
			 2012 28.9 
			 2011 27.2 
			 2010 27.2 
			 1 Non-specialist defined as those teachers with no relevant post A-level qualification in the subject. Source: School Workforce Census 
		
	
	This information is from Table 14 of the Statistical First Releases ‘School Workforce in England', November 2010, 2011 and 2012. The tables are published online at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2012
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2011
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2010-provisional

Religion: Education

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many specialist religious education teachers there were in England in each of the last five years.

David Laws: The following table shows the estimated total number of teachers who teach religious education (RE) and the proportion who are deemed to be a “specialist” as they hold a relevant post A-level qualification in the subject. The figures provided are for November 2010 to November 2012 and represent teachers working in publicly-funded secondary schools in England.
	
		
			  Estimated number of RE1 teachers (thousand) Proportion of RE1 teachers who are a “specialist”2 (%) Estimated number of “specialist” RE1 teachers (thousand) 
			 2012 15.4 46.3 7.1 
			 2011 16.5 44.7 7.4 
			 2010 15.5 45.5 7.1 
			 1 Includes philosophy. 2 Specialist defined as those teachers with any relevant post A-level qualification in the subject. Source: School Workforce Census 
		
	
	While the table shows that the majority of RE teachers are non-specialist, we know specialist teachers tend to teach more hours. Specialist RE teachers taught 71.1% of the hours taught in November 2012, compared to non-specialists who taught 28.9% of the hours.
	This information is from Table 13 of the Statistical First Releases ‘School Workforce in England’, November 2010, 2011 and 2012. They are available at the following links:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2012
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2011
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-in-england-november-2010-provisional

School Meals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in reception, year one and year two will be provided with a hot, nutritious meal at lunchtime from September 2014.

David Laws: All state-funded schools in England will be required to offer free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 from September 2014. The legal requirement will be to offer a meal that meets the relevant school food standards. We expect that pupils will routinely be offered a hot option.
	For schools that need support in delivering the new entitlement from September, we are investing £9.6 million in an implementation support service staffed by school food experts.
	Details of the service can be found at:
	http://www.childrensfoodtrust.org.uk/schoolfoodplan/uifsm
	We have also published a toolkit which can be found at:
	http://www.schoolfoodplan.com/toolkit/

Schools

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools he and other Ministers in his Department have visited since May 2010.

Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education does not hold a list of school visits made. To compile a comprehensive list of all visits would incur disproportionate cost.

Schools: Admissions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he will publish the Statistical First Release Admission appeals in maintained primary and secondary schools in England: academic year 2011 to 2012.

David Laws: There were no admission appeals data collected for 2011/12 or 2012/13 while improvements were made to the collection process. These improvements were to make the collection more timely and to include admission appeals for academies, which were not previously included.
	Data on admission appeals for the 2013/14 academic year are currently being collected and are scheduled for publication in July 2014.

Schools: Closures

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether it is his policy immediately to close schools which refer themselves to the National College for Teaching Leadership on the grounds of suspicions of child abuse.

Edward Timpson: Schools have a duty to consider referring teachers to the National College for Teaching Leadership (NCTL) who have been dismissed for serious misconduct, or would have been dismissed had they not resigned. In such cases involving child abuse, schools have a duty to refer the teacher to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) who will share the referral with the NCTL. In these circumstances, schools should also report the case to their local authority designated officer, who will co-ordinate the case locally and refer to the Department for Education where necessary.
	The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), will always consider closure when there is evidence that that is the right course of action. He expects schools to take appropriate action to refer cases to either the DBS or the NCTL where there are suspicions of child abuse.

Schools: Governing Bodies

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of school governing bodies in holding head teachers to account; and what plans he has to review the guidance his Department issues to school governors.

David Laws: The evidence is that school governing bodies' effectiveness varies across the country. That is why we have sharpened the role of governing bodies in the new Roles, Procedures and Allowances regulations, which came into force in September 2013. Earlier this year we issued advice on those regulations, together with a revised version of the Governors' Handbook which contains detailed guidance for governors on all aspects of their role. We will keep the Handbook under review and plan to publish the next update in September 2014.
	Through the school inspections framework, Ofsted assesses the effectiveness of school governance. Where inspectors find governance to be weak they will recommend an external review of governance, and will report on the review's effectiveness when they next inspect the school. The National College for Teaching and Leadership provides advice for governing bodies on how to conduct a good external review:

Science: Teachers

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many primary school teachers who are science subject leaders have a science degree.

David Laws: The information requested is not held centrally.

Teachers: Job Satisfaction

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on the importance of the morale of teachers.

David Laws: We routinely receive representations about teacher morale in the course of our ongoing discussions with teachers' representatives, including trade unions. We also regularly receive public correspondence relating to the issue.
	The Government place enormous value on good quality teachers, and we are committed to supporting the profession by reducing bureaucracy, trusting teachers to exercise their professional judgment, and ensuring that good teaching is properly recognised and rewarded.
	It is very encouraging that so many good people are choosing a career in teaching; for example, teaching is now the number one destination for graduates from Oxford university. We are proud to have many thousands of dedicated, hard-working individuals in our schools, delivering high-quality education to their pupils.
	A recent survey for TheTimes Educational Supplement found that teachers generally feel positive about the work they do. Last year, the Varkey GEMS Foundation's Global Teacher Status Index found levels of public respect for the teaching profession in England were higher than in Finland or Germany.

Teachers: Job Satisfaction

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to assess the morale of teachers. [Official Report, 9 April 2014, Vol. 579, c. 3MC.]

David Laws: We have enormous respect for teachers and the vital role they play. We continue to support teachers by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. We trust them to use their professional judgment and we reward good quality teaching, including through pay flexibilities which allow heads to pay good teachers more.
	A recent survey for the Times Educational Supplement found that teachers generally feel positive about the work they do. Last year, the Varkey GEMS foundation's Global Teacher Status Index found levels of public respect for the teaching profession in England were higher than in Finland or Germany.
	It is very encouraging that so many good people are choosing a career in teaching. 74% of new teachers now have a 2:1 or a first degree—the highest ever recorded. 14% of Oxford graduates go into teaching, and the annual Graduate Market in 2014 report identified Teach First as Britain's biggest graduate recruiter.

Teachers: Political Impartiality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department provides to teachers to be politically neutral when teaching subjects pertaining to current affairs, politics and history.

Elizabeth Truss: Section 406 of the Education Act 1996 requires head teachers and governing bodies of maintained schools, as well as local authorities, to forbid the pursuit of partisan political activities by pupils and the promotion of partisan political views on the teaching of any subject in the school. Section 407 also provides that, where political views are brought to the attention of pupils, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

Teachers: Qualifications

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance his Department provides on the required level of experience a substitute teacher must have to provide leave cover.

David Laws: The Education (Specified Work) (England) Regulations 2012 set out the circumstances where someone (other than a qualified teacher) can teach and be used to cover teacher absence under the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher. The head teacher must be satisfied that the staff member has the appropriate skills and experience.

Teachers: Training

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2014, Official Report, column 914W, on teachers: training, how many bursaries for initial teacher training were offered for each subject where there was not a shortage of fully qualified subject specialists in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Laws: The purpose of bursaries is to incentivise applications to initial teacher training in key subjects which are struggling to recruit enough trainees. The criteria for eligibility do not relate to whether or not someone is a fully qualified subject specialist. The largest bursaries are given in the subjects which are most difficult to recruit for.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2014, Official Report, columns 209-10W, on electoral register, what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of (a) which were the most cost-effective campaigns and (b) what the reasons were for that cost-effectiveness.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that it carries out evaluations at the conclusion of each of its campaigns to encourage voter registration, including consideration of cost-effectiveness. Consideration is given to the most cost-effective media channels, the impact of the campaign creative and costs of production, and the timing and amount of media purchased. Improvements made as a result of these evaluations are likely to have contributed to an increase in the cost-effectiveness of our campaigns.
	The cost of each campaign divided by the number of voter registration forms downloaded during the campaign period (cost-per-download) provides a useful indicator of overall cost-effectiveness. These costs are presented in the following table.
	A significant factor beyond the Commission's control that affects the cost-effectiveness of different campaigns is the level of public interest in the elections they relate to. Within the table the elections are therefore grouped together on a ‘most similar' basis to provide an indicative point of comparison. However, no two sets of elections are entirely comparable, in part due to the different combinations of elections taking place on the same day. None the less, there has been a general trend of increasing cost-effectiveness over the past nine years.
	
		
			 Campaign Total registration forms downloaded during the campaign period pre-registration deadline Cost of airtime/advertising space (£) Cost per registration form downloaded during the campaign period pre-registration deadline (£) Total campaign spend including producing material, research and running a call centre (£) 
			 General election 2005 49,000 3,600,000 73.47 14,100,000 
			 General election 2010 466,000 2,300,000 4.94 2,700,000 
			      
			 England and Wales local elections 2006 34,000 1,300,000 38.24 1,500,000 
			 England and Wales local elections 2007 51,000 1,800,000 35.29 2,400,000 
			 England, Wales and London elections 2008 128,000 3,200,000 25.00 3,900,000 
			 English local elections 2013 87,000 900,000 10.34 1,200,000 
			      
			 English, Scottish and Welsh elections 2012 146,000 2,900,000 19.86 24,100,000 
			      
			 European Parliament 2009 137,000 3,200,000 23.36 4,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			 European Parliament 2014 Target: 150,000 Budgeted: 2,264,000 Expected: 15.09 Budgeted 2,800,000 
			 1 2005-06 financial year only. 2 Included £1.4 million from the Scottish Government to fund a booklet drop to all households in Scotland. 
		
	
	In this table, costs per download are based purely on the costs of running campaign media advertisements because some campaigns draw on existing resources while others require the production of new materials.
	The total campaign expenditure (including producing material and other costs such as research and call centre provision) is shown in the final column.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether category 1 and 2 responders currently assess the effectiveness of their emergency response facilities, including flexible accommodation, IT and communications systems.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	In 2012 the Government reported that Pitt Review Recommendation 44, that:
	“Category 1 and 2 responders should assess the effectiveness of their emergency response facilities, including flexible accommodation, IT and communication systems, and undertake any necessary improvement works”
	had been implemented.
	In addition, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statutory guidance, ‘Emergency Preparedness’, and the non-statutory guidance, ‘Emergency Response and Recovery’, set out what is expected of category 1 and 2 responders in terms of planning for emergencies. There is an explicit requirement to test and exercise plans, which includes the testing of supporting infrastructure.

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government have issued clear guidance on expected levels of category 2 responders' engagement in planning, exercising and response; and what assessment the Government have made of the case for strengthening enforcement arrangements.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government confirmed in 2012 that Pitt recommendation 56, that:
	“the Government should strengthen and enforce the duty on Category 2 responders to share information on the risks to their infrastructure assets, enabling more effective emergency planning within Local Resilience Forums”
	had been implemented.
	In addition the statutory guidance, ‘Emergency Preparedness’, which supplements the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, sets out clearly the legislative requirements and the role expected of category 2 responders in planning and exercising. The non-statutory guidance, ‘Emergency Response and Recovery’, and other sectoral guidance and legislation sets out their expected roles in response.
	The Government believe the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 already enables effective enforcement. Government Ministers have powers to require information about actions taken by category 2 responders; and an explanation as to why a responder has not taken appropriate action. Where he or she is not satisfied with the information given, the Minister may choose to take enforcement proceedings. Additionally, another responder may itself take court action, in respect of a failure by a responder body to fulfil its responsibilities.

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the degree to which, for emergencies spanning more than a single local authority area, Government offices have ensured coherence and co-ordination between recovery operations.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government offices for the regions closed between 2010 and 2011. In this context, this specific recommendation from the Pitt Review is redundant and no longer applies. Current arrangements for responding to and recovering from incidents, including co-ordination of emergencies spanning more than a single area, are set out in the Government's Concept of Operations, available at:
	www.gov.uk

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether local recovery co-ordination groups have made early recommendations to elected local authority members about longer-term regeneration and economic development opportunities.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	This Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 85—that
	“local Recovery Coordination Groups should make early recommendations to elected local authority members about longer-term regeneration and economic development opportunities”
	had been implemented. It is for the local area to agree the priorities for recovery in their communities. The Government are supporting local recovery through a number of financial support packages including for businesses and farming. Details of all schemes can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flood-support-schemes-funding-available-from-central-government

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all Government guidance has been updated to reflect the new arrangements for recovery; and whether local resilience forums have planned, trained and exercised on this basis.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	Yes. The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 80—that
	“all central Government guidance should be updated to reflect the new arrangements for recovery and Local Resilience Forums should plan, train and exercise on this basis has”—
	has been implemented.
	The non-statutory Emergency Response and Recovery guidance describes the multi-agency framework for responding to and recovering from civil emergencies in the UK and was revised in October 2013. The guidance is not prescriptive and can be adapted in light of local circumstances, experiences and priorities. Local authorities are responsible for the planning, training and exercising for the recovery of the community following any major emergency, working with other agencies in the Local Resilience Forum.

Emergencies

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether and when local resilience forums have evaluated and shared lessons from both the response and recovery phases to inform planning for future emergencies.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	Yes. The Government reported in 2012 that this recommendation from the Pitt Review had been implemented. In addition, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statutory guidance “Emergency Preparedness” includes guidance to local resilience forums to evaluate lessons post-exercise and post-operation to inform planning for future emergencies.
	The timing is up to the local resilience forum to determine; notwithstanding, the last National Capability Survey (2012) found that 91% of respondents had used lessons to modify and improve plans after they had been exercised or invoked.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of whether local authorities have co-ordinated a systematic programme of community engagement in their area during recovery phases.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 76—that
	“local authorities should coordinate a systematic programme of community engagement in their area during the recovery phase”—
	had been implemented.
	My Department's resilience and recovery advisers have been in frequent contact with local areas as they start to recover from the recent severe weather. I have also met leaders of local authorities of most of the areas that have been impacted. All areas have kept us informed of the arrangements in place to engage with their citizens.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether, in all cases relating to the recent flooding, upper tier local authorities have become the lead responders to multi-agency planning for severe weather emergencies at the local level and for triggering multi-agency arrangements in response to severe weather warnings and local impact assessments.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 41 had been implemented. Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 statutory guidance “Emergency Preparedness” local authorities and other responders work together as a local resilience forum to draw up multi-agency plans. It is for these forum meetings to discuss local arrangements for who will lead on planning for different emergencies and how the multi-agency plans will be triggered.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what work the Environment Agency has done with its partners to progressively develop and bring into use flood visualisation tools that are designed to meet the needs of flood-risk managers, emergency planners and responders.

Dan Rogerson: The Environment Agency has produced an Incident Management Map Viewer for use in Strategic (Gold) and Tactical (Silver) Co-ordination Centres.
	The viewer allows responders to view and share incident mapping data consistently and can be used during a flood event to visualise what areas are at risk of flooding, using current and forecast information.
	Flood visualisation tools have been used effectively during the recent winter flooding (2013-14) to help the Environment Agency and its partners make better decisions about where and how to respond during a flood incident.
	The Environment Agency continues to work on new visualisation systems which are due to be implemented later this year.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the Government have made towards creating a fully-funded national capability for flood rescue, with fire and rescue authorities playing a leading role.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government reported in 2012 that Pitt Review Recommendation 39—that
	“the Government should urgently put in place a fully funded national capability for flood rescue, with Fire and Rescue Authorities playing a leading role, underpinned as necessary by a statutory duty”—
	has been implemented.
	Over 100 specialist flood rescue teams and associated equipment are on standby across the country as a result of the 2011 Flood Rescue National Enhancement project. These teams are drawn from a mix of organisations, including Fire and Rescue Authorities and voluntary organisation’s, with new assets added to the register on a regular basis.
	All asset holders have signed up to deploy as required nationwide in a flood emergency, with local requests for assistance being managed by the Fire and Rescue Service National Co-ordination Centre. To be included on the register of assets, specific equipment and crew training standards must be met. A quality assurance of all flood rescue assets is currently under way to confirm compliance with these standards.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all upper tier local authorities have established Oversight and Scrutiny Committees to review work by public sector bodies and essential service providers in order to manage flood risk and implement the suggestions of the Review following the 2007 floods; and whether any such reports have been made public and reviewed by Government Offices and the Environment Agency.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	In January 2012 the Government reported that Pitt Review recommendation 90 had been implemented. In addition, pursuant to Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000, a local authority that is a lead local flood authority must review and scrutinise the exercise by risk management authorities of flood risk management functions related to flood or coastal erosion risk management. Where such a lead authority undertakes any such reviews or scrutiny, it may publish reports or recommendations.
	The Department does not monitor the review and scrutiny activities of lead authorities or the report or recommendations that may be provided.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of whether local authority contact centres have taken the lead in dealing with general enquiries from the public during and after major flooding and redirecting calls to other organisations when appropriate.

Brandon Lewis: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	In January 2012 the Government reported that the Pitt review recommendation 66 had been implemented.
	I have not since made any assessment of whether local authority contact centres have taken the lead in dealing with general enquiries from the public during and after major flooding. It is up to local authorities to meet their statutory obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Reservoirs Act 1975, and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to prevent and plan for flooding.

Floods: Crops

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support his Department plans to make available to farmers whose crops are late or reduced as a result of severe wet weather.

George Eustice: The Government have introduced the Farming Recovery Fund (FRF), which provides up to £10 million to support farm businesses affected by flooding.
	While the fund does not provide financial support for loss of income related to late or reduced crops, it does provide farmers who have been affected by the floods with a one-off grant to restore flooded land. This will help to bring land back into production as quickly as possible and to secure future production once the land is restored.
	Additionally, the Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme (FFIS) has been widened to provide support for rural businesses in flood affected areas to become more resilient in future.

Reptiles: Smuggling

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many reptiles were seized by HM Customs under CITES in each year from 2001 to 2013; and how many such seizures there were.

James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Home Department.
	Border Force is responsible for seizing live animals listed as endangered species under Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in the EU. Prior to 5 August 2009 CITES enforcement at the UK border fell to HM Revenue and Customs and its predecessor, HM Customs and Excise.
	The number of live reptiles seized by HM Revenue and Customs between 2005 and 2009 and by Border Force between 2009 and 2013 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are given in the following table.
	Border Force does not hold data for the number of live reptiles seized by HM Customs and Excise between 2001 and 2005.
	
		
			    Seizures include: 
			  Seizures Number of specimens Number Name 
			 2005-06 27 1,336 501 Leopard Tortoises 
			    220 Caiman Crocodiles 
			    149 Royal Pythons 
		
	
	
		
			    170 Terrapins 
			      
			 2006-07 38 1,313 325 Terrapins 
			    294 Spiny tailed lizards 
			    138 Leopard tortoises 
			      
			 2007-08 21 347 200 Tortoises 
			      
			 2008-09 32 1,044 356 Turtles 
			    111 Leopard tortoises 
			    100 Hingeback tortoises 
			    98 Spiny tailed lizards 
			      
			 2009-10 17 528 210 Kleinmann's Tortoise 
			    100 Leopard Tortoise 
			      
			 2010-11 5 804 585 Royal Pythons 
			      
			 2011-12 19 571 180 Royal Pythons 
			    160 Hermanns tortoises 
			    95 Chameleons 
			      
			 2012-13 8 17  Tortoises

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the safety of women's human rights defenders in Afghanistan.

Justine Greening: The UK Government share the widespread concern about attacks and intimidation faced by Afghan women who work to defend the rights and fundamental freedoms of others. Eliminating violence against women and girls is a strategic priority for DFID's work in Afghanistan and a range of programmes are being implemented.

Developing Countries: Family Planning

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the total budget for overseas development assistance is allocated for reproductive health education and family planning.

Lynne Featherstone: Reproductive health is one of the Government's priority areas. At the 2012 Gold Moment we committed to spend £516 million on family planning over eight years towards the summit goal of enabling an additional 120 million women and girls in the world's poorest countries to be using modern methods of family planning by 2020. Our country programmes also have investments that contribute to family planning. Last year alone we spent over £200 million on family planning.

Ukraine

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much additional aid the Government plan to give to Ukraine.

Justine Greening: The UK Government are providing a package of technical assistance of up to £10 million as part of our wider effort to support economic and political stabilisation in Ukraine.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Betting Shops

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department gives to local authorities on preventing the proliferation of betting shops and fixed odds betting terminals.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 13 March 2014
	I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 4 December 2013, Official Report, columns 741-42W, which outlines the broad advice we give to councils who want to use article 4 powers to tackle localised problems in relation to betting shops.

Career Development

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what proportion of civil servants in his Department who were promoted in each of the last five years were (a) male and (b) female;
	(2)  what proportion of civil servants in his Department who were promoted in each of the last five years were identified as (a) white British and (b) from any other ethnic minority group;
	(3)  what proportion of civil servants in his Department who were promoted in each of the last five years were identified as (a) disabled and (b) non-disabled.

Brandon Lewis: The information requested is shown in the following tables. The following proportions in terms of gender, ethnic origin and disability status are based only on those staff who have voluntarily declared this information.
	The Department undertook a restructuring process from October 2010 to October 2012 which caused a significant reduction in the number of promotions during its peak in 2011 as staff numbers were reduced. To put this into context, there were a total of 12 promotions in 2011 against an average of 128 promotions in the other years in question.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			   Promotions split by gender 
			  Total proportion of staff promoted in the Department Proportion of male staff promoted Proportion of female staff promoted 
			 2009 11.9 47.8 52.2 
			 2010 4.0 45.8 54,2 
			 2011 0.6 50.0 50.0 
			 2012 4.4 53.0 47.0 
			 2013 7.1 39.8 60.2 
		
	
	As at end January 2014, the total proportion of female civil servants in the Department was 51.3%.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			   Promotions split by ethnicity 
			  Total proportion of staff promoted in the Department Proportion of staff promoted who declared themselves as “white”1 Proportion of staff promoted who declared themselves as black, Asian and minority ethnic 
			 2009 11.9 77.4 22.6 
			 2010 4.0 74.0 26.0 
			 2011 0.6 91,7 8.3 
			 2012 4.4 83.8 16.3 
			 2013 7.1 86.9 13.1 
			 1 Due to the manner in which data are reported by staff, meaningful disaggregations are not available. 
		
	
	As at end January 2014, the total proportion of civil servants in the Department reporting themselves as black, Asian and minority ethnic was 20.7%.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			   Promotions split by disability status 
			  Total proportion of staff promoted in the Department Proportion of staff promoted who declared themselves as disabled Proportion of staff promoted who declared themselves as non-disabled 
			 2009 11.9 6.5 93.5 
			 2010 4.0 6.3 93.8 
			 2011 0.6 0.0 1100.0 
			 2012 4.4 3.7 96.3 
		
	
	
		
			 2013 7.1 5.3 94.7 
			 1 As indicated above, there were just 12 promotions in 2011; the small sample size is the reason for this figure. 
		
	
	As at end January 2014, the total proportion of civil servants in the Department reporting themselves as disabled was 5.3%.
	Taken as a whole, and given the issues with small sample sizes, these figures show that promotions broadly reflect the general composition of the Department.

Emergency Services

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what proportion of occasions when a fire engine was despatched in response to a 999 call (a) a police vehicle and (b) an ambulance was also sent to the same incident in the last year for which figures are available.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not collect this particular information.

Empty Property

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the empty property business rates for the vacant properties recorded on the e-PIMS database owned by (a) his Department and (b) any Executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies of his Department in the current financial year.

Brandon Lewis: No information is held centrally on the business rates paid on vacant properties (recorded on e-PIMS or otherwise) owned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, or any Executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The Government Property Unit has been supporting Departments to rapidly rationalise the Government’s estate. Since May 2010, over £1.25 billion has been raised in sales of freehold properties. Through the exiting of property across the central civil estate, we have also delivered cumulative, gross run rate savings of over £454 million per annum.
	Where surplus property is awaiting disposal or lease end, the Government look to explore all disposal options, including commercially sub-letting all or part of the space. Where surplus property is awaiting disposal or lease end but cannot yet be sold or sub-let commercially, the Space for Growth scheme, run by the unit, invites small and medium-sized businesses, charities and social enterprises to utilise this space for free, boosting economic growth. Over 1,500 workstation spaces are now available in 57 different locations around England.
	My Department has had considerable success in reducing the cost of its wider estate through the rationalisation of retained office space and targeted building disposals. This has seen the Department surrender six leasehold office properties through a combination of lease breaks and expiries, generating net savings in the period of around £7 million per annum. The Department has also successfully sub-let surplus space across its leasehold office estate during the same period, reducing the overall property costs by around £6.5 million per annum.
	Building on this success, in 2013-14, we have already secured further savings of £4.6 million by sub-letting further space in Eland house in London. Most recently, the Department negotiated the early surrender of Eland house and is scheduled to relocate to 2 Marsham street. This move will reduce my Department’s running costs by £9 million a year from 2015-16. Overall, these changes will save the Government £24 million a year.
	This illustrates the scope for local government and, indeed, the public sector as a whole to make sensible savings through better property management.

Fracking

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make it his policy that planning permission is only granted on condition that shale gas pads pipe water and gas on and off sites.

Nicholas Boles: Local planning authorities are able to attach planning conditions to a planning permission to mitigate the effects of any development and make an otherwise unacceptable proposal acceptable in planning terms. Conditions must be necessary, relevant to planning and to the development, enforceable, precise and reasonable.
	In that context, a local planning permission for shale extraction will wish to outline the appropriate arrangements for the transport of materials and equipment, and may address the issue of piped connections and highways movements. The appropriate solution will ultimately depend on local circumstances of the individual application.

Homelessness: Barrow in Furness

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many individuals registered as homeless in Barrow and Furness constituency were aged (a) under 16 and (b) 16 to 18 in each of the last three years.

Kris Hopkins: holding 6 March 2014
	The Department does not collect data on homelessness at a constituency level.
	I have therefore placed in the Library of the House a table containing the most relevant available figures for two local authorities that include part of the Barrow and Furness constituency: Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland.
	The table includes:
	(i) Numbers of households accepted as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need:
	The applicant was aged 16-24; or
	The household was in at least one of the following Priority Need categories:
	Aged 16 or 17;
	Household with children;
	Household member pregnant.
	(ii) Numbers of households in temporary accommodation as at the end of each quarter:
	Which contain dependant children or a pregnant mother, and the number of children and expected children in these households; and
	Where the applicant was 16 or 17 years old.
	Data from 2009 have been given for extra comparison.
	The law is clear—no child should be without a roof over their head. Any child under 18 who becomes homeless and without anyone to look after them is a child in need. They must be housed by a local authority and supported by Children's Services. If a child is homeless because their parents are homeless then that family is protected by the homelessness legislation and must be housed. If a family is unable to care for a child under 18 then that child must be taken into care.
	We want children to be able to stay with their families in secure and settled homes and we want to help local authorities support families before they reach crisis point. We are investing £470 million in homelessness prevention over four years of the spending review period—funding going to all local authorities and the voluntary sector. We are continuing to support local authorities to raise their game with an additional £1.7 million over two years (2012-13 to 2013-14) for a new Gold Standard support and training scheme across the country to deliver the best possible service to those that are at risk of homelessness.
	We have also worked closely with leading voluntary sector organisations and local authorities to develop and promote a positive youth accommodation pathway for those who cannot stay within the family network or are leaving care. The pathway approach offers tailored accommodation options and a supportive transition into adulthood, helping young people to avoid the crisis of homelessness.
	More recently, the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Office set up a £15 million Fair Chance Fund to support vulnerable, homeless 18 to 25-year-olds that are ineligible for assistance from local authorities under the homelessness legislation.

Housing

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what value of grants has been issued in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber under the New Homes Bonus Scheme since that scheme's introduction.

Kris Hopkins: New Homes Bonus is a clear, transparent incentive for authorities to welcome growth. Since it began in April 2011, local authorities have received £2.2 billion of New Homes Bonus funding, recognising delivery of nearly 550,000 homes and bringing over 93,000 long-term empty homes back into use.
	New Homes Bonus is paid by local authority area rather than parliamentary constituency boundaries. Figures are therefore given for the councils of East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Authority 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-151 Total 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1.09 2.21 3.07 4.18 10.55 
			 North Lincolnshire 0.52 1.20 1.77 2.27 5.76 
			 Total 1.61 3.41 4.84 6.45 16.31 
			 1 Allocation 
		
	
	These figures recognise delivery of 2,475 additions to stock and 636 long-term empty homes returned to use for East Riding of Yorkshire, and 1,487 additions to stock and 204 long-term empty homes returned to use for North Lincolnshire.
	The New Homes Bonus is allocated to individual local authorities based on increases in their effective housing stock. My Department no longer produces regional statistics, not least since policies like the New Homes Bonus do not operate on a regional basis.

Housing: Construction

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applications were received for Get Britain Building funding in (i) round one in January 2012 and (ii) round two in July 2012.

Kris Hopkins: holding answer 5 March 2014
	In my answer of 27 February 2014, Official Report, columns 445-46W, I noted how the Get Britain Building programme is on track and on course, with 11,165 starts to date (and more to come), helping unlock sites that had stalled due to the last Government's housing bust.
	In the first round, 106 applications were successful, 198 were unsuccessful and 101 withdrew. In the second round, 75 applications were successful, 69 were unsuccessful and 18 withdrew.
	It is important that value for taxpayers' money is achieved from the programme, given the sizeable funds allocated for investment. Applications may have been rejected since they simply did not comply with the criteria laid out in the prospectus, or since they failed to meet the due diligence or value for money assessments. Applicants may have withdrawn for a number of reasons, but this could have included improving market conditions meaning that such funding was not necessary for their particular sites.

Housing: Construction

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to increase investment in house building; and if he will consider the introduction of rent controls.

Kris Hopkins: This Government are investing in housing to get Britain building again, fix the previously broken housing market and help hard-working people get the home they want:
	Over 160,000 new affordable homes have been delivered over the last three years, based on New Homes Bonus figures. Our affordable housing programme will lever in £19.5 billion of public and private investment over the current spending review period. Over 2015-18, we will be investing a further £23 billion in public and private funding for affordable housing.
	Since 2010, over 100,000 people have been helped to buy or reserve their own home through the right to buy and schemes like Help to Buy: Equity Loan, which are in turn supporting new housing construction.
	69,000 homes are being brought forward on locally-supported large sites, with £474 million in the Local Infrastructure Fund.
	We are supporting private investment in new housing to rent, through our Built to Rent and Guarantees programmes.
	A package of measures is helping self-builders, and a programme of activity is helping refurbish and bring empty homes back into use.
	Action has been taken to get stalled sites building which were left uncompleted or unstarted due to the Labour Government's housing crash.
	We have kept interest rates down and ensured economic stability by tackling the deficit left by the Labour Government.
	House building starts for the past year (to December 2013) increased by 23%, according to DCLG statistics, the highest since 2007. The figures for the last quarter were 89% higher than during the crash. Similarly, housing construction orders are at their highest level since 2007 at over £4 billion in the third quarter of 2013 (up 42% on same period last year) according to the Office for National Statistics.
	And according to National House Building Council figures, in 2013 new housing registrations rose by 30% in England on the year before. In London, new registrations rose by 60%, the highest annual total since these records began 26 years ago. Registrations across the country are at their highest since 2007. This is all clear evidence that the Government's long-term economic plan is working. By contrast, new registrations fell by 12% in Wales last year, linked to the Labour-led Welsh Government's increased regulation and their failure to support home ownership.
	While I am aware that the Labour party has been actively advocating rent controls, we have no plans to re-introduce them. Rent controls would cut investment and mean less accommodation available for new tenants to rent. Previously, rent controls decimated the private rented sector, shrinking in size from 55% of households in 1939 to just 8% in the late 1980s. Rent controls also meant that many landlords could not afford to improve or maintain their homes, leading to worse conditions for tenants. The interests of tenants are best served by avoiding excessive regulation, which would ultimately force up rents and reduce supply and choice.

Land Use: Agriculture

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what formula his Department uses to value best and most versatile (BMV) land for the purposes of assessing planning applications to local planning authorities; if he will make it his policy to include in that formula the economic value of food production from BMV agricultural land over a sixty-year period, in a similar way as for infrastructure applications; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on planning applications for BMV agricultural land and their potential effects on local food security and biodiversity.

Nicholas Boles: The Agricultural Land Classification system is used by Natural England and others to give advice to planning authorities, developers and the public. Best and most versatile farmland is land identified as Grade 1, 2 or 3a. Such land is generally the most flexible, productive and efficient, and forms about a third of all agricultural land in England. Our National Planning Policy Framework requires local authorities to take into account the benefits of best and most versatile land when plan-making or deciding planning applications. If significant development on farmland is unavoidable, local authorities should seek to use poorer land in preference. As a safeguard, local authorities are required by law to consult Natural England in certain circumstances before permitting non-agricultural development on best and most versatile land that does not accord with the Local Plan.
	The National Planning Policy Framework also sets out how the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible.

Leasehold

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what data (a) his Department holds and (b) can be estimated from the Land Registry, the Census and the Office of National Statistics on the number of leasehold domestic premises in (i) Worthing West constituency, (ii) Worthing borough, (iii) Arun district, (iv) West Sussex county, (v) South East England region, (vi) England and (vii) England and Wales; what data collection his Department makes on housing tenure types; and if he will make a statement.

Kris Hopkins: The Department does not hold data on the number of leasehold domestic properties by parliamentary constituency, local authority district, county or Wales. As outlined in the written ministerial statement of 18 September 2012, Official Report, columns 29-31WS, my Department no longer publishes statistics by Government office region. The English Housing Survey collects data from owner-occupied homes on whether the home is owned leasehold or freehold, but not from homes that are let in the private rented sector or social rented sector. In the past these partial data have been used to estimate the total number of leasehold domestic properties in England across all tenures, but the methodology is currently under review.
	The census does not collect data on the number of leasehold domestic properties, so census-based estimates of leasehold domestic properties are dependent on assumptions (ie property type as a proxy for leasehold properties).
	The Land Registry holds some information on leasehold properties but has not estimated the number of leasehold dwellings.
	The Department collects data on housing tenure via a number of different sources, including the English Housing Survey and local authority returns.

Planning Permission

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many draft local plans have been referred back to local authorities for revision since the adoption of the National Planning Policy Framework;
	(2)  in how many cases draft local plans have been referred back to authorities because of points raised about the duty to co-operate set out in the National Planning Policy Framework since the adoption of that framework.

Nicholas Boles: holding answer 10 March 2014
	Through our reforms in the Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework, we have ensured that local plans set the framework in which decisions on particular applications are taken locally. This includes amending legislation so that a planning inspector may only propose modifications to a draft local plan where invited to do so by the local planning authority.
	Three quarters of local planning authorities have now published a local plan and 42 local plans have been adopted since the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework in March 2012. To place this in context, six years after the Labour Government's 2004 Planning Act, by May 2010, only one in six local planning authorities had an adopted core strategy. Labour's top-down regional strategies were one of the key reasons for this delay: adding complexity to the planning process and discouraging local decision-making.
	Where a local plan withdraws from examination it will be for reasons specific to that plan; only six local plans have been withdrawn since the publication of the framework for reasons which include (but are not limited to) the effective application of the duty to co-operate.

Planning Permission: Cheshire

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will implement a moratorium on approving planning applications for greenfield sites in Addisbury constituency before local neighbourhood plans are finalised; and if he will make it his policy that a draft local plan should be taken into account when considering such planning applications.

Nicholas Boles: Through our reforms in the Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework the we have ensured that local plans set the framework in which decisions on particular applications are taken locally. Three quarters of local planning authorities have now published a local plan and over half have an adopted local plan. To place this in context, six years after the Labour Government's 2004 Planning Act, by May 2010, only one in six local planning authorities had an adopted core strategy.
	The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that plans may gain weight in planning decisions before they are formally adopted. We have now set out in planning practice guidance where circumstances may justify the refusal of planning permission on grounds that an application would be premature in relation to the emerging local or neighbourhood plan.

Sleeping Rough: North East

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many rough sleepers there were in each local authority in the North East in each of the last five years.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the counts/estimates which are available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness-statistics#rough-sleeping
	I also refer him to my answers of 20 January 2014, Official Report, columns 62-64W, which outline the action we are taking on rough sleeping.
	Figures before 2010 are neither comparative nor accurate, due to fundamental flaws in the count methodology. However, those previous figures for 2008 and 2009 are accessible from:
	https://www.gov.government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7388/1648099.xls

Social Rented Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how long the average family will spend on the waiting list for social housing before being allocated a property in (a) the London Borough of Havering and (b) England;
	(2)  how many people were living in local authority social rented housing in the London Borough of Havering in 2013.

Kris Hopkins: This information is not collected centrally.

Trade Union Officials

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many days staff spent on those activities in each of those years.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers in this Department believe that the taxpayer-funded subsidies and support that previously have been given to the trade unions were poor value for money and represented an unhealthy relationship between the state and voluntary sector.
	Trade union activities and campaigning in the public sector should be funded by members' subscriptions, not bankrolled by the taxpayer. Greater freedom from state dependency will help ensure that trade union bosses better reflect and respond to the wishes and views of the grassroots members who pay the bill.
	Following the Cabinet Office review of the use of facility time and facilities in the civil service, the Department for Communities and Local Government has made changes to its facility time arrangements. With effect from 1 April 2013, the guideline facility allocation is 0.04% of the pay bill (the private sector average benchmark). All trade union representatives now spend the majority of their time in civil service roles—we no longer fund full-time “pilgrims”. The Department does not now provide any funding for staff to carry out trade union activities. We have also taken broader steps to prevent inappropriate use of departmental facilities for campaigning purposes.
	The following table sets out the costs of such departmental facility time to the public purse:
	
		
			  2011-12 2012-13 20131 
			 Days 647 2703 163 
			 Staffing costs (£) 140,687 153,814 33,445 
			 Travel and hotel expenses (£) 399 0 0 
			 1 To December 2013. 2 The increase in 2012-13 was not due to an increase in the number of trade union representatives, but rather a combination of higher staff salaries, following the annual pay changes and since trade union representatives in higher grades used more facility time than in the previous years. 
		
	
	We anticipate that the final staffing cost figure for 2013-14 may be in the region of £47,000. To place this in context, facility time staffing costs were £245,644 in 2008-09 and £177,100 in 2009-10. This represents a significant saving of taxpayers' money.
	The reductions since April 2013 are also being implemented across our arm's length bodies. In my answer of 13 September 2013, Official Report, columns 882-84W, I noted that our changes across my Department and arm's length bodies may save up to £400,000 of taxpayers' money a year.
	We would encourage local authorities to follow our example in delivering such sensible savings, helping protect frontline services and keep council tax down; we have published helpful guidance for councils along those lines.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Sequestration

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department plans to bid for European Union funding for carbon capture and storage projects; and if he will allocate part of any of such funding to Drax power station.

Michael Fallon: In July 2013 the Department submitted the White Rose Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project's bid to the second call of the NER300 programme. The White Rose project co-developers are Alstom, Drax and BOC. The aim behind the NER300 programme is to support the deployment of innovative renewable energy technology and carbon capture and storage. The European Commission is expected to make an Award Decision for the second call in June 2014. Should White Rose be successful in its bid, the funding will be directed to Capture Power Limited, the consortium founded by the project co-developers.

Drax Power Station

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at what stage of development the conversion of Drax power station to biomass is; and when that project is due to be completed.

Michael Fallon: Drax converted one unit of its power station to biomass by April 2013. It has applied for two Investment Contracts to convert two further units through Final Investment Decision Enabling for Renewables process. The affordability assessment and down-selection process for Investment Contracts will be carried out following the receipt of binding applications later this month. Investment Contracts are expected to be signed and laid in Parliament in spring 2014. According to Drax's website, it intends to complete the conversion of one of these two units by April 2015 and quarter four of 2015, at the earliest, for the second of the two.

Drax Power Station

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the conversion to biomass at Drax power station will continue to ensure that the station provides seven to eight per cent of the UK's electricity needs.

Michael Fallon: The Department does not publish forecasts of the expected generation of individual power plants. Such figures would be commercially confidential. We do however expect that Drax will continue to play a major role in providing electricity for the UK. Drax has published information about its intentions at:
	http://drax.presscentre.com/News/Preliminary-results-for-the-year-ended-31-December-2013-b8c.aspx

Drax Power Station

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what socio-economic benefits the local community will receive from Drax power station's conversion from coal-fire to biomass.

Michael Fallon: This is a matter for Drax and the local authority. DECC does not collate such information.

Energy: Prices

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the change in energy costs for the average household of pensionable age since May 2010.

Michael Fallon: Data on household expenditure are only available on an annual basis. The following table shows average weekly household expenditure on energy in each year since 2010, where the household reference person is aged 65 or over.
	
		
			  Average weekly expenditure on energy (£) 
			 2010 21.20 
			 2011 21.80 
			 2012 22.20 
		
	
	These figures include expenditure on electricity, gas and other household fuels, but exclude expenditure on petrol and diesel. They are based on data from the Living Costs and Food Survey, which is run by the Office for National Statistics. Expenditure has been expressed in cash terms and the latest data available are for 2012.

Fracking

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to develop a UK standard in mitigation measures, operating conditions and planning requirements for shale gas pads.

Michael Fallon: The UK has a strong regulatory system which provides a comprehensive and fit-for- purpose regime for exploration. The regulatory regime recognises that regulators must be allowed to take decisions depending on the circumstances of each particular case. The Environment Agency, for example, takes a risk-based approach to permitting that in most cases means a blanket refusal to issue a permit in certain circumstances would not be appropriate. Planning authorities also assess each application on a case-by-case basis, recognising that each application may have specific circumstances that need to be taken into account.
	There are standards that all operators must adhere to. These can be found in legislation and guidance set out by Government and regulators, such as the Environment Agency. The industry's own guidelines also include best practice which operators are committed to following.
	The UK's goal-based approach to regulation of shale gas extraction was commended by an authoritative review by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society, which was published in June 2012.

Fuel Poverty

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of people in each region of the UK are in fuel poverty.

Gregory Barker: Fuel poverty is a devolved issue and each UK nation monitors and reports on fuel poverty independently. Furthermore, each nation has its own preferred definition of fuel poverty. In England, the Government now use the Low Income High Costs definition of fuel poverty. Figures show that in 2011 there were 2.4 million households in England in fuel poverty under this definition.
	In Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland the principal indicator of fuel poverty is the “10% definition” under which a household is fuel poor if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on domestic energy. The latest available figures are as follows:
	
		
			 Country Number of fuel poor households (millions) Proportion of the population fuel poor (%) Year of estimate 
			 England 3.20 15 2011 
			 Scotland 0.58 25 2011 
			 Wales 0.37 29 2011 
			 Northern Ireland 0.29 42 2011 
		
	
	All fuel poverty statistics published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change can be accessed easily at the following website:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics

Natural Resources

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department will be taking to implement the findings of the second State of Natural Capital report by the Natural Capital Committee.

Gregory Barker: The Natural Capital Committee (NCC) formally reports to the Economic Affairs Committee and the second report was directed to it. The NCC's report contains a range of recommendations which the Government need to consider collectively. DEFRA is co-ordinating the Government response and will reply to the NCC's report once it has fully considered it.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Cayman Islands

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress in implementing the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility in the Cayman Islands.

Mark Simmonds: The Cayman Islands Government remain on track to meet the sound fiscal trajectory and other commitments set out in the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility.

Commonwealth

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to strengthen ties with the Commonwealth.

Hugo Swire: The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November 2013. I also addressed the Commonwealth People's Forum and the Commonwealth Business Forum, held in parallel with CHOGM. On 24 February 2014, I hosted a meeting of high commissioners to discuss the Commonwealth. I will meet high commissioners and others later this month to consider the organisation's role and its relationship with its members.
	The United Kingdom continues to make the largest financial contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and all Foreign Office Ministers meet regularly with their Commonwealth counterparts. This week, the Secretary of State has met the Indian, Pakistani, Australian and New Zealand Foreign Ministers. We will of course also use the opportunity of this summer's Commonwealth games in Glasgow to promote and reaffirm our commitment to the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Secretariat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial support the UK provides to the Commonwealth Secretariat each year.

Hugo Swire: We remain the largest financial contributor to the Commonwealth Secretariat, providing around 30% of its total budget. In the financial year 2013-14, the British Government provided £14.8 million to the Commonwealth Secretariat. This was made up of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's assessed contribution of £5.2 million; the Department for International Development's (DF1D) contribution to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-Operation of £8.6 million; and DFID's contribution to the Commonwealth Youth Programme of £1 million.

Conflict Pool

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where annual reports of the Inter-departmental Conflict Pool for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 or equivalent information are published.

Mark Simmonds: The Conflict Pool is a conflict prevention resource collectively managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development (DFID).
	Since the beginning of the current spending review period, and in line with commitments made in the Building Stability Overseas Strategy, published in 2011, all three Departments adopted a multi-year funding model based on three-year programmes. No annual reports have since been produced.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), and the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), annually update the House on Conflict Pool annual allocations, by written ministerial statement.
	Additionally, Departments publish details on Conflict Pool spending they manage through their websites and in line with their departmental requirements. DFID reports to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on any spending that is eligible as Official Development Assistance.
	In 2012, both the National Audit Office and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact published independent reports on the Conflict Pool.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UN sanctions regime against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mark Simmonds: We welcome United Nations Security Council Resolution 2136 (2014) about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) adopted on 30 January 2014 that renewed the sanctions regime in force on the DRC. Sanctions can be an effective foreign policy tool in helping to influence behaviour. In the DRC, the persistence of a complex mosaic of violent conflicts has caused widespread death and displacement, and the destruction of the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of households, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
	Taking steps, including imposing sanctions, to cut funding and other support to the illegal armed groups responsible for the violence is an important element of the Government's strategy aimed at bringing stability to the region.

Falkland Islands

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 46W, on Falkland Islands, and with reference to the answer from the Minister for Universities and Science of 27 January 2014, Official Report, column 447W, on overseas students, British overseas territories, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the correct use of the name of the Falkland Islands by Government Departments; and what cross-governmental guidance his Department has issued on this matter.

Hugo Swire: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been in contact with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to remind them of the appropriate terminology for the Falkland Islands. No specific cross-governmental guidance has been issued on this matter, but it is clear that all Government Departments and agencies should use the correct name, which is of course the Falkland Islands.

Hezbollah

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports that Hezbollah is stockpiling missiles. [R]

Hugh Robertson: We remain very concerned by Hezbollah's own claims that it possesses significant military capabilities and the continued reports of the transfers of conventional weapons from Syria and Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Any weapons transfers are in violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and pose a threat to Lebanese and regional stability.

Iran

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the reported interception of Iranian arms shipments to Gaza has had on his assessment of the role of President Rouhani in promoting stability in the middle east.

Hugh Robertson: We are deeply concerned by the reports of a recent Iranian arms shipment to Gaza, which was intercepted by Israel. Arms exports by Iran are prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions and such shipments undermine peace and security in the middle east.

Iran

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to reduce Iranian military and financial support for the Assad regime.

Hugh Robertson: We raise our concerns about the impact of Iran's support for the Assad regime both bilaterally with Iran and publicly; and we supported the EU decision to impose travel bans on, and asset freezes against, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members and entities involved in Syria. We continue to press Iran to support a political resolution to the Syrian crisis, in line with the Geneva communiqué, and encourage our international partners to make similar points in their engagement with Iran.

Middle East

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports of rocket fire from southern Lebanon into Israel. [R]

Hugh Robertson: The situation on the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon remains relatively calm. We were concerned on 29 December 2013 by one rocket fired from Lebanon into Israel to which the Israeli Defence Force responded with artillery rounds; no injuries or material damage were caused on either side. We welcome the positive role that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon plays in maintaining the ceasefire on the Israeli-Lebanon border and urge both Israel and Lebanon to take advantage of the ceasefire to conduct negotiations towards a permanent peace, including settling all outstanding border disputes.

Occupied Territories

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on levels of settlement construction.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), most recently raised the issue of settlements with the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, on 7 January 2014, during his recent visit to the UK.

Palestinians

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Israeli authorities about their handling of visa requests from Palestinian medical students for travel to the UK in connection with the work of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no discussions to date with the Israeli authorities on this issue.

Russia

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the imposition of sanctions which directly affect President Putin.

David Lidington: As the Prime Minister said to the House on 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 25, the European Council agreed to begin work on sanctions measures which could be taken in the absence of meaningful engagement from Russia with Ukraine. Sanctions are imposed at the EU level and so any sanctions measures in relation to the crisis in Ukraine, including asset freezes and travel bans, will be taken with our EU partners.

Spain

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the practice of Spain’s Guardia Civil firing rubber bullets into the sea and using similar tactics used to repel immigrants.

David Lidington: The British Government have not received any reports of such practices, beyond what has been reported in the media. The Spanish delegation provided a report to the Frontex Management Board, at their meeting in Warsaw on 19 February, about recent attempts by immigrants to enter Ceuta and Melilla. The UK is not a member of the Management Board but attends the meetings by invitation.
	Operational decisions on policing of borders are a member state competence. On 26 February, the Spanish Interior Minister announced that the Guardia Civil would no longer use rubber bullets in Ceuta and Melilla. A judicial investigation is currently under way in Spain. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.
	Ensuring the security of the EU’s external borders is an issue of concern to all member states, which we continue to discuss in EU fora and with other relevant countries.

Syria

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what more his Department can do to protect Christians in Syria from Al-Qaeda splinter groups who demand payments in gold and curb any displays of faith by threatening death by sword.

Hugh Robertson: We condemn the reported attempts by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to extort money from Christian inhabitants of Raqqah governorate in Syria. This reinforces the need for us to support the moderate opposition, who are fighting these extremist groups and who, as the UN Commission of Inquiry has acknowledged, are pressing for a pluralist and democratic vision of Syria.

Syria

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect children in Syria from sexual abuse.

Hugh Robertson: The prevention of sexual violence is a personal priority of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), who has led international efforts on this issue. In January the UN Secretary General reported on the horrific sexual abuse of children, particularly in regime detention facilities. The UK is fully committed to ensuring that all those responsible for such crimes are held accountable and we have called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court. Attempts to deal with this issue are severely hampered by the sensitivities surrounding sexual violence, which mean people are often reluctant to discuss abuse, particularly when committed against children.
	As part of our broader humanitarian contribution of £600 million, the UK has put in place £30 million of funding to provide protection, trauma care, education and counselling for children affected by the crisis. We also support efforts to train investigators to collect evidence of sexual violence and other crimes to ensure that survivors can seek justice. As part of this we have sent members of the Secretary of State’s team of experts to the Syrian borders to help train health professionals and human rights defenders to document crimes of sexual violence to a criminal law standard. Ultimately though, the only way to thoroughly protect Syria's children is to find a political solution to the crisis. This is why we are at the forefront of international efforts to support the political process.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to improve relations between the Governments of Russia and Ukraine.

David Lidington: There has been intense work to persuade Russia to come to the negotiating table with the Government of Ukraine and to discuss their stated concerns face to face.
	As the Prime Minister said to the House on 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 25, the idea of a contact group, including other countries and organisations, was one that the Prime Minister first proposed to the Polish Prime Minister back in January. The European Council on 6 March agreed it was essential for such talks to start within the next few days and for them to deliver progress quickly. The UK also agreed that if Russia did not co-operate there would need to be further measures which would need to start rapidly.
	There has been a range of recent extensive multilateral and bilateral diplomatic activity that has taken place in pursuit of improving relations between the Governments of Russia and Ukraine. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), called for de-escalation in Crimea and respect for sovereignty and independence of Ukraine during his telephone call with Foreign Minister Lavrov on 1 March. He also urged Russia to talk directly to the Ukrainian Government through ministerial and military channels. The UN Security Council held an urgent meeting on 2 March at the UK‘s request. Members of the Council called for international monitors to be sent to Ukraine to observe the situation and stressed the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity and the need to de-escalate tensions. I also met the Russian ambassador on 4 and 11 March and underlined the messages in the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 4 March 2014, Official Report, column 755, and the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 25.

Ukraine

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Russian Foreign Ministers on Russian troops leaving the Crimea region of Ukraine.

David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), pressed for clarification of the Russian position relating to the Crimea during his telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 1 March 2014. The Foreign Secretary called for de-escalation in Crimea and respect for sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. He also urged Russia to talk directly to the Ukrainian Government, through ministerial and military channels.
	The Foreign Secretary, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Andriy Deshchytsia met in Paris on 5March 2014 to discuss the Budapest Memorandum; the Russian Foreign Minister was invited but did not attend. The Foreign Secretary and allies met the Russian Foreign Minister separately where they discussed the formation of a contact group which would, among other things, address the issue of Russian troops in the Crimea region of Ukraine.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take in response to the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism in his report dated 28 February 2014 on the use of armed drones in extraterritorial lethal counter-terrorism operations.

Hugh Robertson: This report identified a number of interesting and challenging legal questions. The UK believes that existing international law sufficiently covers the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). We regard them as subject to the same legal considerations as other weapons systems.
	UK forces operating RPA in Afghanistan do so in accordance with international humanitarian law, following the principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality and military necessity. The incident referred to in Now Zad, Helmand was subject to an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) investigation, and therefore any final decision on the report’s disclosure sits within the ISAF chain of command.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Business: Females

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to increase the number of women in senior positions in business.

Helen Grant: Under this Government, more women are in work than ever before. And we are determined to do more.
	My right hon. Friend has already mentioned the excellent work to increase the number of women on boards and we have also set up Think, Act, Report—a voluntary initiative promoting gender equality in the workplace. 131 companies have signed up so far, covering almost 2 million employees.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether he plans to meet charities and other interested parties to discuss the issuing of guidance on the implementation of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014;
	(2)  whether he plans to publish guidance to inform charities and other affected organisations about the implementation of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non- party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.

Greg Clark: Guidance is being produced by the Electoral Commission regarding the operation of the rules for non-party campaigners. The commission is working with the UK's three charity regulators and other organisations to ensure that the guidance is clear and helpful.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices: Yorkshire and the Humber

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber employed an apprentice in each of the last five years.

Matthew Hancock: Information is not available on the number of businesses employing apprentices.
	Table 1 shows the number of workplaces (site level) in Brigg and Goole constituency and Yorkshire and the Humber that employed apprentices from 2010/11 to 2012/13. Information for earlier years is not readily available.
	
		
			 Table 1: Workplaces that employed apprentices by geography, 2010/11 to 2012/13 
			 Number 
			  2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 
			 Brigg and Goole constituency 400 300 400 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 20,100 23,300 26,500 
			 Notes: 1. The figures are a count of the number of individual workplaces (site level). 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 3. Geographic information is based on the delivery location of the apprenticeship. Note that some workplaces deliver apprenticeships in more than one location. Source: Individualised Learner Record.

Diabetes: Research

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what amount the Government have spent on research on type 1 diabetes in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. Expenditure by the MRC on research into type 1 diabetes is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Medical Research Council expenditure on type 1 diabetes, 2008/09 to 2012/13 
			  £ million 
			 2008/09 4.7 
			 2009/10 3.7 
			 2010/11 3.6 
			 2011/12 4.0 
			 2012/13 3.6 
			 Note: Where a research project is related to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, 100% of the project value has been included in the totals shown above. 
		
	
	Department of Health spend on research on type 1 diabetes through research programmes, research centres and units and research training awards is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Department of Health expenditure on type 1 diabetes, 2008/09 to 2012/13 
			  £ million 
			 2008/09 n/a 
			 2009/10 1.8 
			 2010/11 2.1 
			 2011/12 1.8 
			 2012/13 2.9 
			 2013/14 12.8 
			 1 Estimated. Note: Total DH spend on research on type 1 diabetes is higher because expenditure by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) on this topic cannot be disaggregated from total CRN spend.

Energy: Industry

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on when the compensation scheme for the carbon floor price will be approved.

Michael Fallon: Ministers have regular discussions with the Commission on the issue of state aid approval for the carbon price floor compensation scheme for energy intensive industries. I am optimistic that a decision will be received this month.

Merlin Helicopters: India

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library copies of the memoranda of understanding underpinning the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian Government.

Michael Fallon: There is no memorandum of understanding underpinning the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian Government.

Merlin Helicopters: India

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether Jackie Callcutt was involved in the negotiations for the AgustaWestland deal with India which collapsed earlier this year.

Michael Fallon: Mrs Jackie Callcutt was not involved in the negotiations for the AgustaWestland deal with India that collapsed earlier this year. The deal is a commercial contract negotiated directly by the company. At the time the contract was being negotiated, Mrs Callcut was the first secretary defence and security in the British high commission in New Delhi. As part of her role, she underlined UK Government support to the Indian authorities in reaching a decision to contract with AgustaWestland. As with any embassy overseas, supporting UK companies in this way is a key role of the first secretary defence and security or its equivalent.

Merlin Helicopters: India

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the name was of each official in his Department who took part in negotiations prior to the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian Government.

Michael Fallon: No Government officials took part in the commercial negotiations running up to the 2010 sale of 12 VIP AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters to the Indian Government. UK Government support for the sale was emphasised to Indian Government officials in the course of routine meetings as part of the normal lobbying undertaken in support of UK companies seeking to secure valuable export orders.

Mining

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress he has made on developing a global standard of financial transparency in the extractive industry.

Jennifer Willott: The Government are committed to increasing transparency in the extractives sector and this was a key theme during our G8 presidency.
	Implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the UK is progressing quickly. The Multi-Stakeholder Group has met three times and I attended the last meeting. I was impressed by the commitment of the members, who are working effectively and consensually to implement EITI.
	In addition, we are committed to implementing chapter 10 of the accounting directive which introduces mandatory reporting. A consultation is due shortly.

Music: Higher Education

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how many undergraduate students are studying music in the UK in the current academic year;
	(2)  how many undergraduate students are studying music at a conservatoire in the UK in the current academic year.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on student enrolments at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). In the academic year 2012/13 there were 21,110 full-person equivalent undergraduate enrolments in music subjects in UK HEIs, of these 2,655 were at conservatoires in the UK.
	The conservatoires included are the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of South Wales (The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama merged with the University of Glamorgan in the academic year 2007/08 and this subsequently merged with the University of Wales, Newport in April 2013 to form the University of South Wales).
	Information on enrolments at UK HEIs in the academic year 2013/14 will become available from HESA in January 2015.

Post Office Card Account

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Post Office Ltd, (b) the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, (c) the Department for Work and Pensions and (d) the Treasury on the future of the Post Office card account.

Jennifer Willott: Post Office Ltd has a contract with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide the Post Office card account (POCA). This is regularly used by some three million people to access their pensions or benefits and is available across the Post Office network.
	The current arrangements for collecting pensions and benefits at post offices will remain in place until at least 2015. Any decision about the future of POCA arrangements and related commercial negotiations are a matter for DWP. However I can confirm that DWP and the Post Office are in discussions about a long-term successor to the Post Office card account and that all options under consideration conclude that access to pensions and benefits will continue, beyond March 2015, across the whole post office network of at least 11,500 branches. The National Federation of Sub Postmasters is aware that these discussions are under way.

Post Office Card Account: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the change was in the number of Post Office card accounts in Northern Ireland between 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013.

Jennifer Willott: The information requested is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, Chief Executive Officer of Post Office Ltd, to reply to the hon. Member directly, and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Trade Union Officials

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many days staff spent on those activities in each of those years.

Jennifer Willott: The principal funding consists of salary costs.
	Since November 2012, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has been formally collecting information on trade union facility time usage for publication by the Cabinet Office in line with their new framework. Prior to this, facility time use was monitored locally after the yearly allocations had been agreed centrally with HR and the BIS trade unions.
	
		
			  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 
			 Time spent (Days) 184.5 113.6 236.28 
			 Cost of TU activities (£) 32,975.93 1,965.83 5,094 
			 1 October to March. 2 April to December. 
		
	
	The variations in time and cost can be accounted for by the different time used by union representatives across grades.

Trade: Developing Countries

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Government's objectives are in the work of the Doha Development Agenda.

Michael Fallon: Our immediate objective is to implement those elements of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) that were agreed at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December last year. Trade facilitation, worth in itself almost half of the value of DDA, represents the bulk of the deal. This was accompanied by agreements in agriculture and development issues. The remaining elements of the DDA are agriculture, non-agricultural market access and trade in services, and we would like to move forward on all of these, although we cannot be sure of quick progress on all elements.

UK Trade & Investment

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much UK Trade & Investment has spent in the (a) production and (b) postage of promotional materials to hon. Members in each year since 2010.

Michael Fallon: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) does not normally provide promotional material to hon. Members and does not hold a complete record since 2010 of instances where promotional items may have been provided. However UKTI recognises that hon. Members have significant access to companies in their constituencies to communicate the support that UKTI can provide to companies willing to consider exporting. To this end, campaign material including a GREAT Britain poster has been supplied to each hon. Member to display in their constituency offices at a cost of £17,800.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to help young people in apprenticeship schemes with the cost of travel to work by bus.

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport is working with the bus industry and others to see how travel discounts offered to young people, including those who are in an apprenticeship scheme, can be improved. In September 2013 I met Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys, who advocated development of a discounted bus travel scheme for apprentices. The Department is currently commissioning some technical economic research into the young people's bus travel market.
	The legislation which regulates the bus industry does not require bus operators to offer reduced fares to them. Many local authorities provide discretionary travel concession schemes to young people although they are not aimed specifically at apprentices. Bus operators in most areas offer discounted travel tickets to various groups of young people on a commercial basis but the age at which these are available varies a great deal from one operator to another.
	The Department carries out annual surveys of travel concession schemes. Statistics showing the provision of discounted travel for young people are published in Table BUS0842 at the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/series/bus-statistics

Bus Services

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the economic costs and potential benefits of a salary sacrifice scheme for bus commuters.

Stephen Hammond: The Department has not made any estimates of the economic costs of a salary sacrifice scheme for bus commuters. I am aware that Greener Journeys, a body that campaigns on behalf of the bus sector, has developed a scheme of this kind as part of its recent Bus 2020 document. It has shared its emerging work with the Department.

Commissioners of Irish Lights

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the savings that will be made in (a) financial year 2015-16 and (b) succeeding years as a result of the work of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in the Republic of Ireland being met fully from Irish sources.

Stephen Hammond: In 2012-13, £8.5 million of the Commissioners of Irish Lights' costs in the Republic of Ireland was funded from light dues paid by ships calling at UK ports. This payment will cease from 2015-16.

East Anglia Railway Line

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Abellio on potential improvements to rolling stock on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has not personally had any meetings with Abellio Greater Anglia on potential improvements to rolling stock on the Great Eastern Main Line. However, the Department for Transport is in regular discussion with Abellio Greater Anglia about the interim franchise which is expected to operate from July this year and is seeking modest improvements to rolling stock where it provides value for money and is affordable. In the longer term, the Norwich in Ninety Task Force will inform the specification for the competed franchise which is due to start in October 2016.

First Capital Connect

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2014, Official Report, column 387W, on First Capital Connect, what the (a) net franchise payment and (b) revenue support are for the extension of the Essex Thameside franchise from May 2013 to September 2014.

Stephen Hammond: Contracted subsidy for the interim franchise agreement is c.£1.7 million. A profit share mechanism is in place, which will capture any out performance in revenue, thereby lowering subsidy requirement. Subsidy and premium payments are published regularly on the Office of Rail Regulation website.

General Lighthouse Authorities: Pensions

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the (a) principal value, (b) annual interest rate and (c) estimated total cost of the loan provided by his Department to facilitate the transfer of the General Lighthouse Authorities' pension schemes to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Stephen Hammond: The estimated value of the General Lighthouse Authorities' pension liability is £360 million. In paying for this liability to be transferred to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, it is anticipated that roundly £160 million will come from the General Lighthouse Fund and £200 million from the Department for Transport. The latter sum will be repaid over 10 years, attracting an annual interest rate of around 2%, to be set on the day of the transfer. It is estimated that £221 million will be repaid from the General Lighthouse Fund.

General Lighthouse Authorities: Pensions

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the size of pension received by employees of the General Lighthouse Authority of the transfer of pensions from that authority's scheme to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme.

Stephen Hammond: The General Lighthouse Authorities' pension schemes work by analogy to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme; in effect they apply the same rules.

General Lighthouse Fund

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Written Statement of 6 March 2014, Official Report, columns 64-5WS, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost to the General Lighthouse Fund (GLF) and (b) effect on the GLF's reserves of reducing light dues by one penny in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.

Stephen Hammond: The reduction in the light dues rate of one penny in 2014-15 is estimated to reduce annual income to the General Lighthouse Fund by £2 million. No decision has been made on a further reduction in 2015-16; this will be dependent on the final valuation of the General Lighthouse Authorities' pension liability and a decision on the appropriate minimum level of the General Lighthouse Fund necessary to maintain operational cashflow.
	The Government's intention is to set light dues at a rate which holds income and expenditure in balance, maintaining a steady General Lighthouse Fund reserve around that minimum level.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many representations were received in response to the Environmental Statement on (a) the High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Speed 2/High Speed 1 link project;
	(2)  how many representations from Londoners were received in response to the Environmental Statement on (a) the High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Speed 2/High Speed 1 link project;
	(3)  how many representations were received in response to the Environmental Statement on (a) the High Speed 2 project and (b) the High Speed 2/High Speed 1 link project in each week of the consultation.

Robert Goodwill: Following the deposit of the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill on 25 November 2013, as required by Standing Orders, a consultation on the Environmental Statement was held. In response to this consultation 21,833 responses were received.
	The responses are not being analysed by the Department for Transport but have been passed to an independent assessor, appointed by parliamentary authorities, who will summarise the issues raised in them and provide a report directly to Parliament by 7 April.
	As a result the Department for Transport does not hold accurate information on how many responses were received from Londoners, or in relation to the HS1 link, including figures for how many responses were received each week of the consultation.

Light Dues

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written statement of 6 March 2014, Official Report, columns 64-65WS, on light dues 2014-15, what estimate he has made of the total revenue foregone by the Exchequer by reducing the light dues rate by one penny to 40p per net registered tonne in 2014-15; and what estimate he has made of the total revenue so foregone through a further reduction in 2015-16.

Stephen Hammond: Income from light dues is paid into the General Lighthouse Fund, not to the Exchequer. Therefore no revenue is foregone by the Exchequer.
	No decision has been made on a further reduction in 2015-16.

Northern Rail

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all trains operated by the Northern Rail franchise will be compliant with the Equality Act 2010 by 1 January 2020.

Stephen Hammond: The Department has set out the level of accessibility that it requires trains to have if they are to remain in service after 2019. It is for the rolling stock leasing companies to decide whether to invest in life-extension works, having gauged the future demand for those vehicles.
	The necessary work on train fleets currently operated by Northern has already been proposed as part of the current operator's bid for an extension to its current franchise until February 2016. After February 2016 the next franchisee will propose which types of vehicle it wants to operate, and ensure that these meet the requirements for disabled passengers by the legal deadline of 2020.

Northern Rail

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age of rolling stock used by the Northern Rail franchise has been in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Hammond: Information on the average age of rolling stock is available from the Office of Rail Regulation's website, by following this link:
	http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/53dcc4e1-3223-48f9-9e9c-10d51359cdd7
	The age of rolling stock is a crude measure of quality—as a properly planned refurbishment of an older train can result in a very pleasant travelling environment and a “new train feel”—but at a fraction of the cost of a new unit.

Railway Stations: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the station usage figures were for each railway station in Copeland in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the number of passengers using each station on the rail network are published on the Office of Rail Regulation's website at the following link:
	http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates
	The methodology for this data set has changed over time as improvements have been made, so the estimates from different years may not have been produced on a consistent basis. Details of the methodology changes made each year can be found in the accompanying reports.

Railway Stations: West Yorkshire

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to introduce car parking charges at rail stations in West Yorkshire as part of the Northern franchise.

Stephen Hammond: Negotiations for the Northern direct award, due to run from April 2014 until February 2016, are still ongoing; an announcement will be made in due course. Having considered the matter, the direct award will not include proposals to introduce car parking charges at additional rail stations.

Railways

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Government have spent on rail services per head of population in each region of England in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Hammond: The following table shows estimated Government expenditure on railways per head of population in each region of England between 2007-08 and 2012-13. Estimates for earlier years are not available.
	
		
			 Government expenditure on railways1 per head of population in £s 
			 Region 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 North East 59 58 58 57 54 52 
			 North West 108 112 97 97 88 89 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 87 103 94 92 101 101 
			 East Midlands 59 64 42 39 35 37 
			 West Midlands 79 84 60 52 48 50 
			 East 48 34 56 53 60 58 
			 London 348 256 390 372 331 294 
			 South East 127 127 89 85 71 69 
			 South West 51 50 48 45 40 41 
			 England 123 111 120 115 106 100 
			 1 Includes expenditure on all types of railway Source: HMT, ONS 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) published by the Treasury. Expenditure is usually allocated between regions on the basis of where it occurs rather than on the basis of who benefits, as a robust methodology is not always available to allocate expenditure in this way. Therefore expenditure in one region may benefit people that live in another.
	The methods used to allocate expenditure between countries and regions may be subject to changes over time, so changes from year to year may reflect differences in methodology rather than real changes.

Railways

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rail spending per head will be in each region of England in each year of Control Period 5.

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport does not hold this information.

Railways: Fares

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average change in rail fares was in each of the last five years.

Stephen Hammond: Data displaying the average change in rail fares from 2004 to 2013 can be found on the ORR website at:
	https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/7cff3127-a5cc-4173-ac78-016db2339811

Railways: Pensioners

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the number of people of pensionable age using rail services.

Stephen Hammond: The following table shows an estimate of the number of people of pensionable age using surface rail for given self-reported frequencies in 2012.
	
		
			 Frequency of surface rail use by people of pensionable age (males aged 65+, females aged 61+): Great Britain, 2012 
			 Frequency of surface rail use Percentage Estimate of the number of surface rail users1 
			 At least once a week 3 350,000 
			 Less than once a week, at least once a month 9 1,060,000 
			 Less than once a month, at least once a year 29 3,440,000 
			 Less than once a year or never 60 7,170,000 
			 Total 100 12,020,000 
			 1 Calculated using mid-2012 population estimates and rounded to the nearest 10,000. Source: National Travel Survey

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answers of 22 November 2013, Official Report, column 1052W, on road traffic control, and of 11 December 2013, Official Report, column 221W, on roads: repair and maintenance, what the real terms funding for local road maintenance spent but not announced was in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013.

Robert Goodwill: The Department does not hold or publish local authority expenditure figures that can be directly compared to the Highways Maintenance Capital Block Grant Funding which is allocated to local highway authorities.
	All expenditure information held by Government is published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), split by categories that do not align with the intended scope of the Highways Maintenance Capital Block Grant Funding. For example, one recorded expenditure line that may be funded by this grant is the improvement of roads, however this grant forms only one of several possible sources of funding for such work. Consequently it is not possible to disaggregate from the information published by DCLG precisely where this funding is spent.
	More information on the total capital expenditure of authorities, including details of all transport expenditure lines, can be obtained from the DCLG's “Local Authority Capital Expenditure, Receipts and Financing” statistical series:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-capital-expenditure-receipts-and-financing
	The Department's best estimate of combined capital and revenue expenditure on highways maintenance, across all local authorities and the Highways Agency, can be found in the published Table RDC0310 “Maintenance Expenditure by Road Class”:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/rdc03-roads-requiring-maintenance-and-road-lengths

West Coast Railway Line

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase rail competition for passengers on the West Coast Main Line.

Stephen Hammond: Competition in the passenger rail market is provided by franchised operators, where there are multiple operators on the same line, and open access rail operators. Open access operators apply to the independent Office of Rail Regulation ("ORR") for the right to run services. ORR considers applications against published criteria, which are set out on their website. I understand that the ORR is currently considering an application for open access services on the west coast main line and a decision is expected in due course.

JUSTICE

Fines: Surcharges

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much and what proportion of the victim surcharge imposed by adult courts since 1 October 2012 has been collected where the main sentence in the case was (a) a conditional discharge, (b) a fine, (c) a community order, (d) a suspended prison sentence of up to six months, (e) a suspended prison sentence of more than six months, (f) a prison sentence of up to six months, (g) a prison sentence of between six months and two years, (h) a prison sentence of between two and four years, (i) a prison sentence of between four and 14 years and (j) life imprisonment.

Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice does not centrally collate the information in the manner requested, and it is not possible to attribute the amount of victim surcharge collected by type of sentence imposed by the courts.

Mental Health

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if his Department will sign up to the Mental Health Concordat.

Jeremy Wright: The Government are fully supportive of the Mental Health Concordat albeit we are not an explicit signatory to the document. We are already working in partnership to guarantee a better service for offenders with mental health needs. For example, we are currently rolling out liaison and diversion services at police stations and criminal courts, to identify, assess and refer those with a range of vulnerabilities, including mental health issues, into treatment so that health problems can be picked up early on in the criminal justice process.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many special advisers are employed in his Department; what the budget is for the employment of special advisers; and what the cost of employing special advisers in his Department was in each year from 2010.

Damian Green: Remuneration for special advisers across Government is published on the gov.uk website. The most recent publication can be found at this link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/253081/SPAD_list_Live_UPDATE.pdf

Prison Governors

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which prisons saw (a) a change and (b) more than one change of governor in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013.

Jeremy Wright: The number of changes of governor for each prison establishment for (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 are provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of changes in governor in: 
			 Prison 2010 2011 2012 2013 
			 Altcourse (Director) 0 0 0 1 
			 Ashfield (Director) 0 0 0 1 
			 Aylesbury 1 0 0 0 
			 Bedford 0 0 1 0 
			 Belmarsh 0 0 0 0 
			 Birmingham (Director) 0 1 0 0 
			 Blantyre House 0 0 1 0 
			 Brinsford 1 0 1 0 
			 Bristol 0 0 1 0 
			 Brixton 0 1 0 0 
			 Bronzefield (Director) 0 0 0 1 
			 Buckley Hall 1 0 0 1 
			 Bullingdon 0 0 0 1 
			 Bure 1 0 0 0 
			 Cardiff 1 0 0 1 
			 Channings Wood 0 1 0 1 
			 Chelmsford 0 0 0 0 
			 Coldingley 0 0 0 1 
			 Cookham Wood 0 0 0 1 
			 Dartmoor 0 2 0 0 
			 Deerbolt 0 0 1 0 
			 Doncaster (Director) 0 0 0 0 
			 Dovegate (Director) 0 1 0 1 
			 Downview 1 0 0 1 
			 Drake Hall 0 0 1 0 
			 Durham 0 1 0 0 
			 East Sutton Park 0 0 1 0 
			 Eastwood Park 0 0 1 0 
			 Elmley 1 1 0 1 
			 Erlestoke 0 0 0 0 
			 Exeter 0 1 0 0 
			 Featherstone 0 0 0 0 
			 Feltham 0 0 0 1 
			 Ford 0 0 0 1 
			 Forest Bank (Director) 0 0 0 0 
			 Foston Hall 0 0 1 1 
			 Frankland 0 1 0 0 
			 Full Sutton 0 1 0 0 
			 Garth 0 0 0 1 
			 Gartree 0 1 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Glen Parva 1 0 1 0 
			 Grendon and Springhill 0 1 0 0 
			 Guys Marsh 1 0 0 0 
			 Hatfield 1 0 1 2 
			 Haverigg 0 1 0 1 
			 Hewell 1 0 2 0 
			 Highdown 0 0 0 1 
			 Highpoint 0 0 1 1 
			 Hindley 1 0 0 0 
			 Hollesley Bay 0 0 0 0 
			 Holloway 1 0 0 0 
			 Holme House 0 0 1 0 
			 Hull 0 1 0 0 
			 Humber 0 1 0 0 
			 Huntercombe 1 0 0 0 
			 Isis 0 1 0 0 
			 Isle of Wight 0 1 0 1 
			 Kennet 0 0 0 1 
			 Kirkham 0 0 1 1 
			 Kirklevington Grange 0 0 1 0 
			 Lancaster Farms 0 0 0 1 
			 Leeds 1 0 0 1 
			 Leicester 0 0 1 1 
			 Lewes 0 0 0 1 
			 Leyhill 0 0 0 1 
			 Lincoln 0 0 1 0 
			 Lindholme 0 0 1 1 
			 Littlehey 0 1 0 0 
			 Liverpool 1 0 0 0 
			 Long Lartin 1 0 0 0 
			 Low Newton 0 0 0 0 
			 Lowdham Grange (Director) 0 0 0 1 
			 Maidstone 0 1 0 1 
			 Manchester 0 0 1 1 
			 Moorland 1 0 1 2 
			 Mount, The 0 0 1 0 
			 New Hall and Askham Grange 1 0 1 0 
			 North Sea Camp 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumberland (Director) 1 1 0 0 
			 Norwich 1 0 0 0 
			 Nottingham 0 0 1 0 
			 Oakwood (Director) n/a n/a 0 1 
			 Onley 1 0 0 0 
			 Parc (Director) 0 0 0 0 
			 Pentonville 0 0 0 1 
			 Peterborough (Director) 0 1 0 0 
			 Portland 0 1 0 0 
			 Prescoed and Usk 0 0 0 0 
			 Preston 0 0 0 0 
			 Ranby 0 1 0 1 
			 Risley 0 0 1 0 
			 Rochester 0 1 0 0 
			 Rye Hill (Director) 1 0 1 1 
			 Send 0 1 0 0 
			 Stafford 0 1 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Standford Hill 1 1 0 1 
			 Stocken 1 0 1 0 
			 Stoke Heath 0 0 0 0 
			 Styal 0 0 1 0 
			 Sudbury 0 0 1 0 
			 Swaleside 1 0 1 1 
			 Swansea 1 0 0 1 
			 Swinfen Hall 0 0 1 0 
			 Thameside (Director) n/a n/a 0 0 
			 Thorn Cross 0 0 1 1 
			 Verne, The 0 1 0 0 
			 Wakefield 1 0 0 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 0 1 0 
			 Warren Hill 0 1 0 0 
			 Wayland 1 0 1 0 
			 Wealstun 0 1 0 0 
			 Werrington 0 0 1 0 
			 Wetherby 0 1 0 0 
			 Whatton 0 0 0 0 
			 Whitemoor 0 0 0 1 
			 Winchester 0 0 1 0 
			 Woodhill 0 0 0 1 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 0 0 0 1 
			 Wymott 0 0 0 0

Prisoners: Death

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many deaths in custody there were in the secure estate between 2 and 9 March 2014.

Jeremy Wright: Deaths in prison custody are designated National Statistics and published in the Safety in Custody statistics bulletin. The latest statistics cover the 12 months to the end of September 2013 and are published at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics

Prisons: Discipline

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) acts of active concerted indiscipline, (b) acts of passive concerted indiscipline, (c) hostage situations and (d) incidents at height occurred in the prison system between 2 and 9 March 2014.

Jeremy Wright: While the number of active concerted indiscipline, passive concerted indiscipline, hostage situations and incidents at height are available centrally, it has not been possible to provide the number occurring between 2 and 9 March 2014 at this time as they are currently subject to data validation checks.
	I will write to the right hon. Member once these data are validated to provide the information requested.

Prisons: Females

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the capacity is of each women’s prison in England and Wales;
	(2)  how many women are currently held in each women’s prison in England and Wales.

Simon Hughes: The following table shows the population and operational capacity of each women’s prison in England and Wales as of 28 February 2014.
	
		
			 Prison Operational capacity Population 
			 Askham Grange 128 104 
			 Bronzefield 527 494 
			 Drake Hall 315 308 
			 East Sutton Park 100 87 
			 Eastwood Park 363 337 
			 Foston Hall 310 309 
			 Holloway 591 528 
			 Low Newton 329 320 
			 Peterborough1 384 336 
			 New Hall 425 409 
			 Send 280 274 
			 Styal 460 442 
			 1 HMP Peterborough holds both male and female prisoners. The figures provided in the table are for female prisoners only. 
		
	
	This information is published monthly on the Government website at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-population-figures-2014
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible error(s) with data entry and processing.

Prisons: Females

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the estimated estate value is of each women’s prison in England and Wales.

Simon Hughes: The audited value for each women’s prison in England and Wales as at 31 March 2013 as listed in the Department’s asset register, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Asset valuation as at 31 March 2013 
			 Public prison £ million1 
			 Askham Grange 7.90 
			 Downview 27.98 
			 Drake Hall 14.94 
			 East Sutton Park 8.23 
			 Eastwood Park 25.48 
			 Foston Hall 13.01 
			 Holloway 36.70 
			 Low Newton 12.55 
			 New Hall 26.28 
			 Send 25.26 
			 Styal 21.11 
			 Total public prisons 219.44 
			   
			 Bronzefield 65.19 
			 Peterborough (both male and female) 70.84 
			 Total PFI 136.03 
			 Total prisons 355.47 
			 ¹ Includes valuations for the prison, land and dwellings associated with it. The method of valuation for these properties is described in the NOMS annual report and accounts 2012-13, page 71 and can be found at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/noms

Prisons: Monitoring

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the running costs were of the Independent Monitoring Board in each prison in England and Wales in each year since 2010.

Jeremy Wright: Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) scrutinise prisons and immigration removal centres on behalf of the Secretary of State. IMB members are volunteers who monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison and make sure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Annually, each board reports to the Secretary of State.
	The table provides a breakdown of running costs for Independent Monitoring Boards in each prison in England and Wales from 2010 to 2013. These figures cover travel and subsistence of IMB members and other miscellaneous expenses relating to the work of the boards at each establishment. An improved system of allocating of resources to boards, with levels of monitoring activity agreed at the outset of the year, was put in place for 2012-13. This has reduced variation between some boards’ expenditure.
	The total IMB budget has decreased in recent years, from £3 million in 2010 to £2.2 million in 2013-14.
	
		
			  Expenditure (£) 
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Acklington 8,524 9,478 2,119 
			 Albany 4,929 1,566 856 
			 Altcourse 16,409 13,801 11,503 
			 Ashfield 8,420 8,460 8,132 
			 Ashwell 3,040 484 1— 
			 Askham Grange 6,309 4,055 3,790 
			 Aylesbury 4,375 2,846 3,651 
			 Bedford 8,085 5,756 4,498 
			 Belmarsh 4,604 8,094 12,311 
			 Birmingham 8,927 3,990 6,815 
			 Blantyre House 3,989 3,985 3,978 
			 Blundeston 3,936 4,768 6,646 
			 Brindsford 7,613 6,781 5,260 
			 Bristol 8,518 8,886 8,800 
			 Brixton 1,508 1,571 1,153 
			 Bronzefield 9,023 9,944 8,380 
			 Buckley Hall 6,729 6,808 6,802 
			 Bullingdon 19,137 17,754 17,295 
			 Bullwood Hall 3,253 3,937 2,914 
			 Bure 8,305 7,568 5,812 
			 Canterbury 2,429 2,010 1,268 
			 Cardiff 17,403 12,290 9,823 
			 Castington 6,186 8,800 2,242 
			 Channings Wood 9,843 8,390 6,710 
			 Chelmsford 15,690 10,742 10,850 
			 Coldingley 4,036 5,642 4,719 
			 Cookham Wood 5,474 3,748 6,917 
			 Dartmoor 21,530 18,888 16,539 
			 Deerbolt 4,781 5,461 2,691 
			 Doncaster 7,960 7,973 8,701 
			 Dorchester 12,177 9,654 6,333 
			 Dovegate 9,878 9,765 6,730 
			 Downview 2,403 2,074 1,947 
			 Drake Hall 8,425 6,303 5,871 
			 Durham 11,677 15,263 13,461 
			 Earlestoke 6,344 7,233 4,532 
			 East Sutton Park 3,354 2,876 3,086 
			 Eastwood Park 11,332 6,134 5,133 
			 Edmond's Hill 10,772 5,703 5,681 
			 Elmley 15,819 17,707 17,875 
			 Everthorpe 10,842 10,249 10,563 
			 Exeter 13,023 8,021 8,685 
		
	
	
		
			 Featherstone 5,749 6,733 8,538 
			 Feltham 7,827 6,703 6,285 
			 Ford 9,101 9,872 7,197 
			 Forest Bank 12,547 10,065 12,878 
			 Foston Hall 3,905 4,370 5,376 
			 Frankland 12,719 14,419 11,267 
			 Full Sutton 13,486 11,042 13,061 
			 Garth 10,196 11,347 11,023 
			 Gartree 8,469 6,610 5,830 
			 Glen Parva 5,902 5,374 5,572 
			 Gloucester 7,295 7,719 5,869 
			 Grendon 5,876 6,344 5,833 
			 Guy's Marsh 8,891 6,696 6,554 
			 Haverigg 8,067 9,131 8,734 
			 Hewell 11,572 11,691 10,492 
			 Highdown 9,831 9,052 6,706 
			 Highpoint 15,085 13,494 12,863 
			 Hindley 7,739 7,284 5,889 
			 Hollesley Bay 6,745 7,536 6,790 
			 Holloway 6,129 4,071 2,663 
			 Holme House 5,505 7,223 7,216 
			 Hull 5,363 4,734 3,831 
			 Huntercombe 6,081 5,317 4,735 
			 Isis 2,192 5,853 4,962 
			 Isle of Wight 4,182 12,082 12,148 
			 Kennet 4,075 3,885 5,229 
			 Kingston 3,895 3,099 3,694 
			 Kirkham 3,496 2,374 1,984 
			 Kirlevington Grange 3,971 1,026 510 
			 Lancaster Castle 2,920 168 1— 
			 Lancaster Farms 9,210 8,145 8,909 
			 Latchmere House 1,631 881 257 
			 Leeds 6,103 4,099 4,127 
			 Leicester 2,899 2,231 1,600 
			 Lewes 12,109 11,372 10,877 
			 Leyhill 4,146 4,283 3,372 
			 Lincoln 10,697 9,906 10,198 
			 Lindholme 17,783 19,190 16,132 
			 Littlehey 16,402 13,722 11,447 
			 Liverpool 13,409 11,448 7,649 
			 Long Lartin 17,923 20,144 14,182 
			 Low Newton 4,006 5,146 5,058 
			 Lowdham Grange 10,071 5,545 8,488 
			 Maidstone 6,788 4,593 4,406 
			 Manchester 15,220 15,583 13,151 
			 Moorland 16,193 17,793 13,186 
			 Morton Hall 15,786 16,906 13,121 
			 New Hall 10,945 9,619 8,278 
			 North Sea Camp 5,154 2,317 1,729 
			 Northallerton 6,317 5,528 6,703 
			 Northumberland — — 5,273 
			 Norwich 13,975 13,267 13,084 
			 Nottingham 4,423 757 2,165 
			 Oakington 4,593 1— — 
			 Oakwood — — 1,168 
			 Onley 8,910 7,026 7,068 
			 Parc 12,139 9,568 7,310 
			 Parkhurst 9,534 1,165 1— 
			 Pentonville 1,295 556 729 
		
	
	
		
			 Peterborough 14,096 11,805 9,188 
			 Portland 5,654 3,878 3,170 
			 Preston 5,907 5,625 4,625 
			 Ranby 11,083 1,486 10,014 
			 Reading 5,903 3,717 5,285 
			 Risley 13,329 10,290 11,158 
			 Rochester 5,323 3,489 4,047 
			 Rye Hill 14,074 13,281 13,206 
			 Send 5,281 4,801 4,089 
			 Shepton Mallet 6,762 4,277 5,682 
			 Shrewsbury 3,272 4,205 2,528 
			 Stafford 5,043 5,646 4,200 
			 Standford Hill 8,420 9,306 10,453 
			 Stocken 11,257 14,340 13,748 
			 Stoke Heath 14,992 15,041 14,315 
			 Styal 4,723 3,907 3,169 
			 Sudbury 6,580 4,594 3,847 
			 Swaleside 14,515 13,408 14,299 
			 Swansea 3,624 2,413 2,839 
			 Swinfen Hall 3,369 2,832 2,557 
			 Thameside — — 946 
			 The Mount 10,519 13,333 9,455 
			 The Verne 8,082 8,240 8,439 
			 Thorncross 4,265 3,292 3,986 
			 Usk and Prescoed 5,829 4,799 4,516 
			 Wakefield 12,357 10,918 9,162 
			 Wandsworth 3,351 3,721 2,656 
			 Warren Hill 4,672 4,697 3,757 
			 Wayland 17,195 12,229 11,993 
			 Wealstun 6,822 8,224 5,788 
			 Wellingborough 9,482 9,736 10,602 
			 Werrington 4,014 2,843 2,012 
			 Wetherby 8,041 7692 6,815 
			 Whatton 13,836 10,378 12,832 
			 Whitemoor 16,157 12,049 12,614 
			 Winchester 9,719 7,829 9,309 
			 Wolds 3,881 5,998 4,493 
			 Woodhill 9,189 4,810 7,595 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 4,445 5,600 2,293 
			 Wymott 2,781 2,897 2,770 
			 Total 1,142,806 1,019,710 956,801 
			 1 Closed.

Prisons: Wrexham

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been spent on preliminary work associated with the building of a new prison in Wrexham to date.

Jeremy Wright: The Department has spent c. £505,000 on the preliminary work associated with the building of a new prison in Wrexham. This is a responsible and proportionate amount of preparation for a £250 million project, and includes the cost of the design, surveys, preparation and planning, all of which are essential requirements for a project of this size. Internal costs, such as staff time associated solely with the building of the new prison at Wrexham, are not held separately and could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	We need a fit for purpose, modern prison estate that provides affordable, modern prison accommodation in the right places to deliver our ambition of reducing reoffending. That is why we are replacing older prisons across the estate with newer, more efficient, accommodation at a much lower cost.
	This new prison will be a huge boost for the regional economy, with the creation of around 1,000 jobs and an estimated £23 million per year for the area. We will also hold prisoners close to their homes, which we know helps prevent reoffending.

Probation

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent to date on external legal advice on the design of contracts with community rehabilitation companies;
	(2)  who has been employed by his Department to provide legal advice on drawing up contracts for community rehabilitation companies; and how many such advisers are Queen's Counsel.

Jeremy Wright: Under our Transforming Rehabilitation proposals we are opening up the market to a diverse range of new providers across the public, private and voluntary sectors to bring innovation to rehabilitative services and help deliver reductions in reoffending rates. We are currently engaged in a competition to appoint the 21 owners of the new Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) which will be responsible for the provision of services to all but those offenders which pose the highest risk.
	The design and set-up of CRCs, and the drawing up of contracts require specialist legal advice. Alongside the Department's own legal teams, Allen and Overy, who were appointed following a competitive process, are delivering that advice to the Rehabilitation Programme. The contract with Allen and Overy gives us access to a range of specialist and highly skilled legal advisers, but to date we have not used Queen's Counsel to draft any part of the contractual suite. Invoiced and accrued costs by the programme on external legal advisers between April 2013 and January 2014 are £3 million. We use external advisors and consultants for complex projects where there is a strong business case and the specialist skills are not available in-house. This represents less than 1% of the annual value of what the new CRC contracts are worth. It is right to seek high quality legal advice to protect the taxpayer. The cost of the implementing these reforms are affordable within the context of the overall MOJ budget and our commitment to deliver annual savings of over £2 billion by 2014-15.

Reparation by Offenders

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department maintains a public register of restorative justice and similar schemes operating in England and Wales.

Jeremy Wright: The Government are committed to ensuring that restorative justice is victim-focused, of a good quality and available at all stages of the criminal justice system across England and Wales. That is why we are providing almost £23 million to Police and Crime Commissioners over the years 2013-14 to 2015-16 to deliver victim-initiated and pre-sentence restorative justice.
	The Ministry of Justice does not maintain a public register of restorative justice schemes operating in England and Wales. However, the Ministry has provided funding to the Restorative Justice Council to assist Police and Crime Commissioners to map the services available in their areas.

Secure Colleges

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish a detailed breakdown of his Department's £85 million budget for a Secure College.

Jeremy Wright: To avoid prejudicing the effectiveness of the design and build competition for the Secure College, the Ministry of Justice will not be able to publish a breakdown of the budget until the competition has been completed.

Sexual Offences: Rehabilitation

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many places are available annually on sex offender treatment courses in each prison in England and Wales.

Jeremy Wright: The number of treatment programmes attended by sexual offenders does not provide a complete picture of the availability of sex offender treatment, or the range of services NOMS is providing to reduce risk and protect the public. We provide a range of programmes for this highly complex group of offenders. These are tailored to address an individual's risk and need, and can also include substance misuse, anger management and violence reduction. Sex offender treatment programmes are not suitable for every prisoner, in each case a thorough assessment will be carried out.
	Interventions are commissioned on an annual basis in response to the National Offender Management Service Commissioning Intentions. The commissioning round for 2014-15 has not yet been finalised so the final number of sex offender treatment places that will be available is not yet known.
	The number of completions of sex offender treatment courses commissioned for each prison in 2013-14 is set out in the following table.
	As well as sex offender interventions, NOMS invests in a range of services, assessment, management and public protection arrangements to reduce the risk posed by sexual offenders.
	
		
			 Directory of establishments running accredited and unaccredited intervention (non-ETE) 
			 Establishment Programme Commissioned completions 
			 Aylesbury Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 5 
			 Aylesbury Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 17 
			 Brixton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 27 
			 Brixton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (Formerly HSF) Accredited 2 
			 Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling Accredited 5 
			 Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
		
	
	
		
			 Bullingdon Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 34 
			 Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 25 
			 Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 17 
			 Bure Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB Accredited 17 
			 Channings Wood Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 25 
			 Frankland Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB Accredited LDD 7 
			 Frankland Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 17 
			 Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 8 
			 Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 8 
			 Full Sutton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (formerly HSF) Accredited 10 
			 Hull Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Hull Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 33 
			 Isle of Wight (IoW) Cluster Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 51 
			 Isle of Wight (IoW) Cluster Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 25 
			 Littlehey Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 25 
			 Littlehey Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling Accredited 23 
			 Northumberland Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 8 
			 Northumberland Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB Accredited 9 
			 Parc Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 8 
			 Parc Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling Accredited 4 
			 Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 8 
			 Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 8 
			 Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (Formerly HSF) Accredited 5 
			 Risley Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling Accredited 28 
			 Rye Hill Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Rye Hill Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 23 
			 Stafford Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB Accredited 9 
			 Stafford Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 25 
			 Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB Accredited LDD 7 
			 Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB Accredited 8 
			 Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 24 
			 Swinfen Hall Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 8 
			 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB Accredited LDD 8 
			 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 8 
			 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 18 
		
	
	
		
			 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 9 
			 Usk Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (Formerly HSF) Accredited 6 
			 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 17 
			 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 8 
			 Wakefield Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (Formerly HSF) Accredited 2 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP-Deaf/hearing impaired (Pilot)-LDD 4 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP ABLB Accredited LDD 15 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP BLB Accredited 43 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 34 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Extended Accredited 17 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP HSP (Formerly HSF) Accredited 10 
			 Whatton Sexual Offending-SOTP Rolling Accredited 36 
			 Wymott Sexual Offending-SOTP Becoming New Me (BNM) Accredited LDD 7 
			 Wymott Sexual Offending-SOTP Core Accredited 34 
			 Total  881

Trials

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many defendants elected jury trial in each of the last five years and (a) pleaded guilty and (b) were found guilty by each offence category; what proportion of defendants in each offence category received a prison sentence; and what average prison sentence per offence category was handed down;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2014, Official Report, column 262W, on sentencing, in how many of the cases listed in each year (a) there was a plea of (i) guilty or (ii) not guilty and (b) the case had been sent to the Crown Court (i) by magistrates for trial, (ii) by magistrates for sentence or (iii) as the result of the defendant electing a jury trial.

Jeremy Wright: Owing to the way in which information is collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice, it is not possible to identify separate sentence outcomes for those cases completed at the Crown court in which the defendant elected jury trial.
	To provide this information would involve the creation and validation of new data sets and the cost of doing so would be disproportionate.

Young Offenders

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what average length of custodial sentence was handed down to those aged 18, 19 or 20 and found guilty of criminal offences and receiving a custodial sentence in 2013;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of people aged 18, 19 or 20 who were found guilty of criminal offences received a custodial sentence in 2013;
	(3)  how many people aged 18, 19 or 20 received a custodial sentence of (a) under six months, (b) under 12 months, (c) under 18 months, (d) under 24 months, (e) under five years, (f) under 10 years, (g) under 20 years and (h) 20 years or over in 2013.

Jeremy Wright: For offenders within the 18 to 20 age group that were sentenced for indictable (more serious) offences the proportion of offenders given custody increased between 2010 and 2012. The number and proportion of persons aged 18, 19 and 20 sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence by length of sentence and the average custodial sentence length (ACSL) from 2008 to 2012 (latest data available) can be seen in the table.
	Please note that court proceedings statistics for the year 2013 are planned to be published by the Ministry of Justice in May 2014.
	
		
			 Offenders sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence at all courts by age, sentence length and average custodial sentence length, England and Wales, 2008 to 20121, 2 
			 Age Sentence length 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 18 Total Sentenced 40,178 40,827 37,565 32,565 26,148 
			  Immediate Custody 3,726 3,733 3,463 3,288 2,696 
			  Custody Rate (percentage) 9.3 9.1 9.2 10.1 10.3 
			  Less than 6 months 1,726 1,640 1,538 1,238 998 
			  6 months but less than 12 months 483 476 441 519 353 
			  12 months but less than 18 months 400 471 462 445 395 
			  18 months but less than 24 months 277 255 231 261 203 
			  24 months but less than 5 years 650 724 660 706 614 
			  5 years but less than 10 years 109 105 88 88 91 
			  10 years but less than 20 years 4 4 4 6 12 
			  Indeterminate sentence 60 42 30 17 20 
			  Life sentence 17 16 9 8 10 
			  Average Custodial Sentence Length3 13.1 13.9 13.3 14.9 15.9 
			        
			 19 Total Sentenced 48.337 49,781 45.946 42,373 34,148 
			  Immediate Custody 4,941 5,130 4,960 4,455 3,555 
			  Custody Rate (percentage) 10.2 10.3 10.8 10.5 10.4 
			  Less than 6 months 2,394 2,439 2,214 1,695 1,414 
			  6 months but less than 12 months 661 670 663 655 520 
			  12 months but less than 18 months 565 619 669 652 475 
			  18 months but less than 24 months 280 335 312 335 228 
			  24 months but less than 5 years 791 893 888 884 705 
			  5 years but less than 10 years 142 113 144 183 148 
			  10 years but less than 20 years 7 13 9 16 14 
			  20 years or over and less than life — — 1 2 — 
			  Indeterminate sentence 83 26 39 23 30 
			  Life sentence 18 22 21 10 21 
			  Average Custodial Sentence Length3 12.7 12.9 13.7 15.8 15.5 
			        
			 20 Total Sentenced 49,060 51,360 47,833 45,165 38,366 
			  Immediate Custody 4,788 5,154 4,801 4,537 3,708 
			  Custody Rate (percentage) 9.8 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.7 
			  Less than 6 months 2,412 2,635 2,298 1,786 1,446 
			  6 months but less than 12 months 638 595 591 681 526 
			  12 months but less than 18 months 474 581 577 621 491 
			  18 months but less than 24 months 257 283 267 280 264 
		
	
	
		
			  24 months but less than 5 years 759 828 867 940 763 
			  5 years but less than 10 years 142 145 138 170 154 
			  10 years but less than 20 years 9 12 11 10 18 
			  20 years or over and less than life — 1 — 2 1 
			  Indeterminate sentence 76 54 41 30 28 
			  Life sentence 21 20 11 17 17 
			  Average Custodial Sentence Length3 12.7 12.7 13.4 15.5 16.1 
			        
			 18-20 Total Sentenced 137,575 141,968 131,344 120,103 98,662 
			  Immediate Custody 13,455 14,017 13,224 12,280 9,959 
			  Custody Rate (percentage) 9.8 9.9 10.1 10.2 10.1 
			  Less than 6 months 6,532 6,714 6,050 4,719 3,858 
			  6 months but less than 12 months 1,782 1,741 1,695 1,855 1,399 
			  12 months but less than 18 months 1,439 1,671 1,708 1,718 1,361 
			  18 months but less than 24 months 814 873 810 876 695 
			  24 months but less than 5 years 2,200 2,445 2,415 2,530 2,082 
			  5 years but less than 10 years 393 363 370 441 393 
			  10 years but less than 20 years 20 29 24 32 44 
			  20 years or over and less than life — 1 1 4 1 
			  Indeterminate sentence 219 122 110 70 78 
			  Life sentence 56 58 41 35 48 
			  Average Custodial Sentence Length3 12.8 13.1 13.5 15.5 15.9 
			 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Young Offenders: Alternatives to Prison

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young offenders have breached referral orders in each year since they were introduced.

Jeremy Wright: The information requested is not held centrally. Breach of sentences in the criminal courts is not an offence and so is not recorded as such. Additional powers to punish young offenders for breaching the terms of their referral order contract have been included in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, now before Parliament. These will give the court, in certain circumstances, the additional options of either imposing a fine up to a maximum of £2,500, or extending the referral order up to the maximum length of 12 months as an alternative to revoking the referral order and resentencing.

Youth Custody

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many places have been (a) created and (b) decommissioned in (i) secure children's homes, (ii) secure training centres and (iii) young offender institutions in each year since 2010.

Jeremy Wright: Overall crime and proven offending by young people has fallen in recent years. Fewer young people have entered the criminal justice system, and as a result fewer young people have ended up in custody. This has allowed excess capacity in the youth secure estate to be decommissioned.
	The Youth Justice Board is responsible for purchasing places in secure children’s homes, secure training centres and under-18 young offender institutions.
	No places have been created or decommissioned in secure training centres since 2010. The following tables provide the number of new places contracted and those decommissioned in secure children’s homes and under-18 young offender institutions in each year since 2010.
	
		
			 Secure children’s homes1 
			  New places contracted Places decommissioned 
			 2010-11 6 6 
			 2011-12 1 9 
			 2012-13 0 17 
			 2013-14 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 7 32 
			 1 The figures above show additional places contracted and those decommissioned across all the secure children’s homes (SCHs) holding contracts with the Youth Justice Board. In 2010-11, six additional places were contracted across three SCHs, and six were decommissioned in two different SCHs. In 2011-12, one additional place was contracted in one SCH, and nine were decommissioned in another SCH. In 2012-13, 17 places were decommissioned across four SCHs. 
		
	
	
		
			 Under-18 young offender institutions 
			  New places commissioned Places decommissioned 
			 2010-11 0 710 
			 2011-12 0 273 
			 2012-13 0 0 
			 2013-14 165 905 
			 Total 65 1,888 
			 1 These places refer to the 65 new places commissioned at Cookham Wood YOI.

HEALTH

Abortion

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which official body has responsibility for ensuring that HSA4 forms are correctly filled out; whether he plans to provide details of the procedures that are used by that body to investigate incomplete HSA4 forms to ensure that the terminations in question were legally and safely conducted; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: A practitioner terminating a pregnancy has a legal duty to submit form HSA4 to the Chief Medical Officer within 14 days of the termination and to certify to the best of their knowledge that the information contained in the forms is correct. Every form is checked for compliance with the Abortion Act 1967 by Department officials, authorised by the Chief Medical Officer. Selected forms are also scrutinised by a Department medical adviser. Forms with missing information are returned to the practitioner, and if the revised forms are not returned within six weeks, reminders will be sent regularly until the information is received. The Department has published detailed guidance on the completion of HSA4 forms.

Abortion

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2014, Official Report, column 949W, on abortion, whether the general discussions with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes International involved sharing with those organisations any of the interpretations of the law which it is proposed should be included in the new guidelines; on what date each such discussion took place; what discussions his Department had over the same period with pregnancy and abortion counselling organisations which do not provide abortion services; what representations he has received from private sector abortion providers regarding the proposed new guidelines; what the name of each such organisation is; on what date each such representation was made; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Departmental officials met with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service on 20 December 2013 and Marie Stopes International on 13 December 2013. At both meetings, the consultation on the update of the Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy and the letter from the Chief Medical Officer to all doctors involved in abortion care dated 22 November 2013 were discussed. No recent meetings have been held with pregnancy and abortion counselling organisations who do not provide abortion services.

Accident and Emergency Departments

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of accident and emergency doctors.

Daniel Poulter: The shortage of accident and emergency (A&E) doctors is long-standing and was first identified in 2004. Recently the Department has set up Health Education England (HEE) to deliver a better health and health care workforce for England.
	HEE has established the Emergency Medicine Workforce Implementation Group to develop and implement innovative workforce inventions to support the workforce in emergency departments.
	HEE has also increased the number of Acute Core Common Stem (ACCS) Emergency Medicine (EM) posts to account for the attrition rate that is currently being experienced. HEE has formally agreed to increase ACCS EM by 75 posts per year for the next three years. A parallel run-through training programme has been developed to also increase retention in specialty training.
	HEE is also looking to expand its training and consultant workforce on an interim basis through international recruitment. It is establishing a targeted recruitment programme in India and exploring opportunities in Europe. HEE is working with the College of Emergency Medicine on this initiative and is planning to go out to India in May 2014.
	NHS Employers is currently in negotiations with the British Medical Association on changes to contractual arrangements. It is the Government's aim that medical contracts be reformed so that they offer the right rewards for doctors in all specialties, including those like A&E where there have been historical recruitment challenges.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) change and (b) percentage change there was in Accident and Emergency (i) admissions and (ii) attendance in each NHS trust in each of the last four years.

Jane Ellison: The information has been placed in the Library for the financial years 2009-10 to 2012-13.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency attendances there were by children in each year since 2010.

Jane Ellison: The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances by children in each year since 2010 
			  Attendances 
			 2010-11 3,843,109 
			 2011-12 4,120,914 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 4,215,878 
			 Notes: 1. Children are defined as aged 0 to 17 years. 2. A&E attendances are a count of the number of attendances at A&E and do not represent the number of patients as an individual may attend on more than one occasion in any given period. 3. Changes to the figures over time should be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage and changes in NHS practice. 4. NHS England situation reports are the official source for A&E attendances. However, HES publish more detailed data on A&E attendances that are broken down by age and diagnosis. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Ambulance Services

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances have taken longer than (a) 30 minutes and (b) one hour to arrive at the patient in each region in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: These data are not collected centrally. However, we do collect ambulance performance against the three national response time standards.
	There are three ambulance response time standards, which ambulance trusts are required to meet at trust level:
	75% of Category A 'Red 1' calls should be reached within eight minutes, from the time the call 'connects'. 'Red 1' calls are those patients in cardiac arrest or similar. (The A8 Red 1 performance measure);
	75% of Category A 'Red 2' calls should be reached within eight minutes, from the time that either (i) the chief complaint is identified, (ii) the call handler determines a priority response is required, or (iii) after 60 seconds has elapsed, whichever is the sooner. 'Red 2' calls are those patients such as strokes and fits, which are still life threatening emergencies, but not as time critical as 'Red 1' patients. (The A8 Red 2 performance measure); and
	95% of all Category A calls should receive an 'ambulance capable of conveying the patient within 19 minutes' (The A19 performance measure).
	The most recent performance (January 2014) shows that nationally, ambulance services have met all three standards. These data are published by NHS England on a monthly basis and can be found at the following link:
	www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/
	A8 and A19 are the only nationally mandated response time standards. It is a matter for local commissioners to agree with ambulance trusts the appropriate protocols for dealing with non-Category A calls based on available clinical guidelines and local circumstances. However, efficiency, timeliness and high quality care for patients are nevertheless expected.

Arthritis

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS providers deliver care that meets the quality statements contained within QS33, the quality standard for rheumatoid arthritis development by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Norman Lamb: No assessment has been made of the number of national health service providers who deliver care that meet the quality statements contained within the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Standard, QS33, developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
	While providers and commissioners must have regard to the NICE quality standards in planning and delivering services, the quality standards do not provide a comprehensive service specification and are not mandatory.
	Quality standards are important in setting out to patients, the public, commissioners and providers what a high quality service should look like in a particular area of care.
	NHS England continues to champion their use with providers and commissioners.

Calderdale Royal Hospital

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on improving accident and emergency facilities at Calderdale Royal Hospital in the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The amount spent on improvements to accident and emergency facilities at Calderdale Royal Hospital is a matter for the local national health service.
	We have written to Andrew Haigh, Chair of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, informing him of the hon. Member's query. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Calderdale Royal Hospital

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have accessed treatment at Calderdale Royal Hospital in (a) each of the last 12 months and (b) each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The data requested are not collected centrally. Information is available at national health service trust level, but not at hospital site level.
	Information on the number of admitted patient care finished admission episodes, accident and emergency (A&E) attendances (including planned attendances), and attended outpatient appointments for all hospital sites managed by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, is shown in the following table
	
		
			 Year Month Admitted patient care-finished admission episodes A&E attendances Attended out-patient appointments 
			 2008-09 Total 105,937 131,729 391,803 
			 2009-10 Total 111,364 130,906 393,769 
			 2010-11 Total 117,732 134,525 386,772 
			 2011-12 Total 120,510 138,646 391,706 
			 2012-13 Total 119,992 141,139 392,765 
			      
			 2012-13 April 9,455 11,286 30,386 
			 2012-13 May 10,606 12,228 37,018 
			 2012-13 June 9,877 11,904 30,889 
			 2012-13 July 10,297 12,350 33,703 
			 2012-13 August 10,096 11,737 32,583 
			 2012-13 September 9,418 11,750 31,865 
		
	
	
		
			 2012-13 October 10,554 11,895 36,689 
			 2012-13 November 10,508 11,426 35,345 
			 2012-13 December 9,794 12,775 28,117 
			 2012-13 January 10,105 11,223 34,674 
			 2012-13 February 9,317 10,640 31,094 
			 2012-13 March 9,965 11,925 30,402 
			 Notes: 1. These figures do not represent the number of patients as it is possible for an individual to have one or more episodes of care or hospital attendances in any given period. 2. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. 3. Assessing growth through time (In-patients) Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. 4. Assessing growth through time (A&E) HES figures are available from 2007-08 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. 5. Assessing growth through time (Out-patients) HES figures are available from 2003-04 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Congenital Abnormalities

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ground E abortions for cleft palate were diagnosed by (a) ultrasound and (b) other diagnostic tests in each of the last 10 years; what other methods of diagnosis were listed under other; and how many such diagnoses which did not result in abortion were recorded in the same period.

Jane Ellison: This information cannot be provided. Cleft lip and palate is associated with other foetal abnormalities. It is therefore not possible to extract from Form HSA4 the method used to diagnose cleft lip and palate in isolation from the other abnormalities that have been listed.

Emergency Services

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what proportion of occasions when a fire engine was despatched in response to a 999 call an ambulance was sent to the same incident in the last year for which information is available.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected centrally.

Genomics England

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether representatives of commercial companies will be appointed to the board of Genomics England Limited.

Jane Ellison: No representatives of commercial companies have been or will be appointed to the board of Genomics England. Genomics England has appointed independent non-executive directors for their knowledge, skills and experience in their respective fields, who sit alongside representatives of NHS England and the Department.

Genomics England

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contractual or similar relationship exists between NHS England, PA Consulting and Genomics England Limited.

Jane Ellison: UK Trade & Industry (UKTI) has an existing contractual relationship with PA Consulting to provide support on inward investment. Through this existing contract, UKTI has seconded someone to work with Genomics England part-time for three months. There is no contract in place between PA Consulting and NHS England on the £100,000 genome project led by Genomics England.

Health Education

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spends on reproductive health education and family planning; and what his policy is on such matters.

Jane Ellison: An estimated £110 million per year was spent by primary care trusts on commissioning contraception services prior to 1 April 2013, when responsibility for commissioning these services transferred to local authorities. Local authority spending on these services in 2013-14 will be published on the gov.uk website later this year. Contraception is also provided by general practitioners (GPs) as an additional service under the GP contracts, but the Department does not hold information on this element of spending.
	The Department also has a contract with the Family Planning Association to produce and distribute information resources on sexual health including reproductive health and contraception. The value of the contract is £1,129,653 for the period from July 2012 to 31 March 2015.

Health Services: Hearing Impairment

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2013, Official Report, columns 831-32W, on health services: hearing impairment, if he will place in the Library a copy of the initial survey on the implementation of AQP in audiology services.

Jane Ellison: The initial survey on the implementation of Any Qualified Provider in audiology services was commissioned by Professor Sue Hill, who is now the chief scientific officer at NHS England. The survey findings have been shared with stakeholders for comment, and are in the process of being finalised. There are no plans at present for NHS England to formally publish the document, but the final survey results will be shared with stakeholders.
	From 1 April 2013 it has been entirely for commissioners to decide where to extend choice of provider to further services, in the best interests of patients.

Hospital Beds: Greater London

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) change and (b) percentage change there was in the estimated number of delayed discharges in each London hospital trust in each of the last four years.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Average number of patients delayed 
			  2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2009 vs. 2010 change 2009 vs. 2010 % change 
			 Havering PCT 9.3 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -8.3 -89.3 
			 Barnet PCT 2.6 4.3 10.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 67.7 
			 Enfield PCT 2.7 0.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 -2.2 -81.3 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 6.0 1.4 4.3 0.0 0.0 -4.6 -76.4 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 6.3 7.4 6.6 0.0 0.0 1.2 18.7 
			 Newham PCT 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 — 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 2.0 1.8 2.3 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -12.5 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 4.9 2.3 5.6 0.0 0.0 -2.6 -52.5 
			 Camden PCT 3.3 3.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -7.0 
			 Islington PCT 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 — 
			 Lambeth PCT 0.0 1.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 1.1 — 
			 Southwark PCT 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 — 
			 Wandsworth PCT 1.3 2.9 2.3 0.0 0.0 1.7 133.3 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 5.2 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 -4.8 -93.5 
			 Redbridge PCT 1.9 2.5 4.4 0.0 0.0 0.6 30.4 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 4.7 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.3 -27.1 
			 Barts Health NHS Trust 25.2 35.3 41.0 39.5 49.6 10.1 40.1 
			 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 6.7 7.1 9.0 6.8 5.4 0.4 6.2 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 1.0 1.4 2.4 2.9 3.2 0.4 41.7 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 9.3 9.1 6.5 8.6 8.3 -0.2 -1.8 
			 The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2.0 3.4 1.3 1.2 3.3 1.4 70.8 
			 North East London NHS Foundation Trust 11.8 7.3 13.4 23.1 17.4 -4.5 -38.0 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 21.5 11.8 12.4 16.0 14.4 -9.8 -45.3 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 9.4 13.7 7.6 14.4 11.3 4.3 45.1 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS trust 43.8 46.1 45.4 41.6 18.8 2.3 5.1 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 13.3 11.1 3.3 4.4 9.4 -2.3 -16.9 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 10.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -10.7 -100.0 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 12.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -12.7 -100.0 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.3 -100.0 
			 Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 2.7 6.5 10.7 8.9 9.4 3.8 143.8 
			 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 13.0 13.1 5.6 9.3 7.6 0.1 0.6 
			 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 5.8 7.1 10.8 6.8 8.4 1.3 21.4 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 8.9 7.5 12.3 7.9 6.4 -1.4 -15.9 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 8.8 12.5 4.5 4.2 5.5 3.8 42.9 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 5.2 5.3 6.1 5.8 7.4 0.2 3.2 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 41.1 27.3 28.1 25.4 37.3 -13.8 33.5 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.1 100.0 
			 Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 17.9 19.7 10.3 10.9 13.2 1.8 10.1 
			 The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.7 0.4 -0.5 -85.0 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 3.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 5.8 -0.8 -21.4 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS foundation Trust 1.9 7.3 9.8 14.1 10.3 5.4 282.6 
			 South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust 24.1 18.5 17.2 10.4 10.1 -5.6 -23.2 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 19.2 17.0 17.1 14.1 21.8 -2.2 11.9 
		
	
	
		
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 3.3 0.5 1.5 0.9 14.2 -2.8 -84.6 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust 2.3 3.8 6.6 3.1 0.6 1.5 66.7 
			 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust 40.4 44.2 42.8 53.8 38.1 3.8 9.3 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 19.5 8.7 9.8 23.8 26.9 -10.8 -55.6 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 16.8 15.3 13.7 16.0 17.1 -1.4 -8.5 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 14.5 16.4 13.9 15.9 16.9 1.9 13.2 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 12.8 12.7 19.4 14.8 19.2 -0.2 1.3 
			 East London NHS Foundation Trust 16.3 20.7 27.3 21.9 21.4 4.3 26.5 
			 Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.1 2.2 0.0 — 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 25.0 23.8 22.9 22.7 21.1 0.0 0.0 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 17.0 16.0 18.8 11.4 14.2 0.0 0.0 
			 Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0.0 0.0 13.0 9.0 12.1 0.0 — 
			 Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust 2.9 4.2 3.9 2.5 5.1 1.3 42.9 
			 Source: NHS England statistics        
		
	
	
		
			  2010 vs. 2011 change 2010 vs. 2011 % change 2011 vs. 2012 change 2011 vs. 2012 % change 2012 vs. 2013 change 2012 vs. 2013 % change 
			 Havering PCT 0.0 0.0 -1.0 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Barnet PCT 5.7 130.8 -10.0 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Enfield PCT 0.3 63.6 -0.8 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 2.9 203.5 -4.3 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT -0.8 -11.4 -6.6 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Newham PCT -0.6 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 0.6 33.3 -2.3 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 3.3 141.6 -5.6 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Camden PCT -3.1 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Islington PCT 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Lambeth PCT -0.4 -34.4 -0.8 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Southwark PCT 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Wandsworth PCT -0.6 -20.0 -2.3 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Redbridge PCT 1.9 77.8 -4.4 -100.0 0.0 — 
			 Waltham Forest PCT -3.4 -100.0 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Barts Health NHS Trust 5.8 16.3 -1.5 -3.7 10.1 26 
			 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 1.9 27.1 -2.3 -25.0 -1.3 -20 
			 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 1.0 70.6 0.5 20.7 0.3 9 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust -2.6 -28.4 2.1 32.1 -0.3 -4 
			 The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -2.2 -63.4 -0.1 -6.7 2.1 179 
			 North East London NHS Foundation Trust 6.1 83.0 9.7 72.0 -5.7 -25 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 0.7 5.7 3.6 28.9 -1.6 -10 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust -6.1 -44.5 6.8 90.1 -3.1 -21 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS trust -0.7 -1.4 -3.8 -8.4 -22.8 -55 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust -7.8 -70.7 1.2 35.9 5.0 113 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust 0.0 — 0.0 — 0.0 — 
		
	
	
		
			 Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 4.2 64.1 -1.8 -16.4 0.5 6 
			 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust -7.5 -57.3 3.7 65.7 -1.7 -18 
			 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 3.7 51.8 -4.0 -37.2 1.7 25 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 4.8 64.4 -4.4 -35.8 -15 -19 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust -8.0 -64.0 -0.3 -7.4 1.3 32 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 0.8 14.1 -0.3 -4.1 1.6 27 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 0.8 2.7 -2.7 -9.5 11.8 47 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 0.0 0.0 0.4 250.0 -0.5 -86 
			 Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust -9.4 -47.6 0.6 5.6 2.3 21 
			 The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust 0.8 1000.0 -0.3 -27.3 -0.3 -38 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 0.2 6.1 0.0 0.0 2.8 97 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS foundation Trust 2.5 34.1 4.3 43.2 -3.8 -27 
			 South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust -1.3 -7.2 -6.8 -39.3 -0.3 -3 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 0.1 0.5 -3.0 -17.6 7.7 54 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1.0 200.0 -0.6 -38.9 13.3 1445 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust 2.8 75.6 -3.5 -53.2 -2.5 -81 
			 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust -1.3 -3.0 11.0 25.7 -15.8 -29 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 1.2 13.5 13.9 141.5 3.2 13 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust -1.7 -10.9 2.3 17.1 1.1 7 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust -2.5 -15.2 2.0 14.4 1.0 6 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 6.8 53.3 -4.7 -24.0 4.4 30 
			 East London NHS Foundation Trust 6.6 31.9 -5.3 -19.6 -0.5 -2 
			 Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust 0.7 — 0.4 62.5 1.1 100 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust -0.9 -3.8 -0.3 -1.1 -1.6 -7 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 2.8 17.7 -7.4 -39.4 2.8 25 
			 Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust 13.0 — -4.0 -30.8 3.1 34 
			 Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust -0.3 6.0 -1.4 -36.2 2.6 103 
			 Source: NHS England statistics

Hospitals: Parking

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has issued any guidance to hospital trusts on the management of car parks and the issuing of parking charge notices.

Daniel Poulter: National health service organisations are responsible locally for decisions on the management of car parking in relation to patients, visitors and staff which will be made to support their clinical and operational needs.
	Guidance relating to the management of car parks is included in:
	“Fair for all, not free for all—Principles for sustainable car parking”, published by the NHS Confederation; and
	“Health Technical Memorandum 07-03”—Transport management and car-parking”, published by the Department. A copy of this document has already been placed in the Library.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior staff employed at the Health and Social Care were previously employed at the NHS Information Centre; and what the grade is of each such member of staff.

Daniel Poulter: There are 11 members of the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) management board, six of whom are non-executive directors and five of whom are executive directors. Three of the non-executive directors and two of the executive directors were previously members of the NHS Information Centre (NHSIC) management board. One of the executive members is graded as a very senior manager post and the other transferred as a senior doctor.
	Two of the current non-executive directors who previously worked at the NHSIC will leave on 31 March 2014. One of the executive directors who previously worked at the NHSIC will leave the HSCIC on 31 March 2014.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are employed at the Health and Social Care Information Centre; and how many of those staff were previously employed at the NHS Information Centre.

Daniel Poulter: As at 28 February 2014 the Health and Social Care Information Centre employs 2,075.5 full-time equivalent staff, of whom 494 were previously employed at the NHS Information Centre.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former staff of the NHS Information Centre were employed in the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Daniel Poulter: As at 28 February 2014, the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) employs 2,075.5 full time equivalent staff. 550 employees of the NHS Information Centre transferred to the HSCIC on 1 April 2013.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior staff at what level in the Health and Social Care Information Centre previously worked at the NHS Information Centre.

Daniel Poulter: There are 11 members of the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) management board, six of whom are non-executive directors and five of whom are executive directors. Three of the non-executive directors and two of the executive directors were previously members of the NHS Information Centre (NHSIC) management board. One of the executive members is graded as a very senior manager post and the other transferred as a senior doctor.
	Two of the current non-executive directors who previously worked at the NHSIC will leave on 31 March 2014. One of the executive directors will leave the HSCIC on 31 March 2014.

Kidneys: Donors

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage more older people to become kidney donors.

Jane Ellison: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) actively campaigns to promote public awareness about the importance of organ donation and transplantation and to encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Although NHSBT’s promotional activity does not specifically include initiatives to encourage older people to become kidney donors, it does however raise awareness that there is no age restriction to becoming an organ donor. For organs it is the condition of the organ and the individual's health, not age, which is the deciding factor.

Medical Records: Databases

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies outside the NHS have received NHS patient data over the last 10 years; what data were provided; and how much was charged for those data in each case.

Daniel Poulter: Sir Nick Partridge, a Non-Executive Director on the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) Board has agreed to conduct an audit of all the data releases made by the predecessor organisation, NHS Information Centre, from its inception on 1 April 2005 and report on this to the HSCIC Board by the end of April 2014.
	A report is to be published on 2 April detailing all data released under the HSCIC, since April 2013, including the legal basis on which data was released and the purpose to which the data are being put. The report will be updated on a quarterly basis and is intended to encourage public scrutiny of HSCIC decisions.

Medical Records: Databases

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether advice on the use of data without consent has been obtained from the Confidentiality Advisory Committee.

Daniel Poulter: Identifiable information can be processed only with a legal basis to do so.
	Prior to April 2013 the NHS Information Centre relied upon Regulation 5 of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (often referred to as “section 251 support”) for the processing of identifiable information where patient consent could not practicably be gained, and sought approval from the Ethics and Confidentiality Committee which has since become the Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG).
	One of the measures outlined in the Care Bill, currently before Parliament, stipulates the Health and Social Care Information Centre must have regard to external advice given by the committee appointed by the Health Research Authority, the CAG, when publishing or otherwise disseminating information.

Medical Records: Databases

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS England plans to upload care.data to Google servers or use Google’s Big Query service.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre can only release information under its general dissemination powers if for the purposes of health and care or adult social care provision, or in future, under amendments to the Care Bill for the promotion of health.

Medical Records: Databases

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has concluded a memorandum of understanding with US medical authorities over the future sharing of NHS patient data.

Daniel Poulter: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England, the Health and Social Care Information Centre and the United States Department of Human and Health Services on the 23 January 2014 on a collaboration of work on health information technology and open data. There are no plans in this working agreement to share any patient identifiable information between countries.
	A copy of the signed memorandum of understanding has been placed in the Library.

Medical Records: Databases

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether patients can opt out of their hospital data being shared or uploaded to anyone who does not directly provide them with care.

Daniel Poulter: Patients should talk to their care provider if they object to information that identifies them being shared or uploaded to anyone who does not directly provide them with care.
	The NHS Constitution does say individuals have a right to object to the disclosure of personal confidential data about them and they have a right to have any reasonable objections considered. In addition, the Secretary of State for Health, has given a commitment that in relation to data held in general practitioner records, individuals' objections to disclosure to the Health and Social Information Centre will be respected.

Medical Records: Genetics

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to paragraph 20 of NHS England Board Paper NHSE 180 716, what is meant by the exploitation of sequencing data.

Daniel Poulter: Genomics is a separate programme from care.data. By “exploitation of sequencing data”, NHS England is referring in its board paper entitled “NHS England Genomics Strategy” to how the national health service can make the best use of genomic data from volunteers who have donated their data on the basis of consent for the benefit of other NHS patients.

Medical Records: Genetics

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what work has been done by NHS England to consider how genomic sequencing data might be held, connected to patient records and used;
	(2)  whether genomic data will be extracted as part of care.data;
	(3)  whether proposed links between care.data and genetic data will be reviewed by an independent ethics committee;
	(4)  whether PA Consulting or any other commercial company has or will have access to NHS genomic data;
	(5)  whether informed consent must be obtained before genomic data is (a) taken from patients and (b) stored.

Jane Ellison: Genomic data are vital for patient care and research. Access to genomic data is controlled under the same national health service safeguards as other patient data as outlined in the Data Protection Act 1998. Under the Human Tissue Act 2004 it is an offence to analyse DNA for diagnosis or research without consent.
	NHS England, the Department and Genomics England are in discussions about the future use of genetic and genomic data for health care and research as part of the Prime Minister's commitment to introduce the benefits of genomic technology for NHS patients.
	The Board of Genomics England is advised by an independent Ethics Committee chaired by Professor Michael Parker. It is made up of patients and experts on ethics who will ensure that the project has regard to a wide range of relevant ethical issues.

Medical Treatments

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which technology appraisals conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and completed in each year since 2005 (a) did and (b) did not have a Patient Access Scheme attached to them for consideration; to what technology each such Patient Access Scheme related; what the outcome of the appraisal in each case was; and in each such case whether the technology was (i) fully recommended, (ii) partly recommended and (iii) not recommended.

Norman Lamb: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to support the carers of people with mental health problems;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to improve the provision of care to people with mental health problems;
	(4)  how much his Department spent on mental health research in 2013.

Norman Lamb: We have already taken significant steps to improve the lives of and provision of care to, people with mental health issues. Mental health and well-being is a priority for this Government. Our overarching goal is to ensure that mental health has equal priority with physical health, and that everyone who needs it has timely access to the best available treatment.
	We made it a key priority in our Mandate to NHS England, to put mental health on a par with physical health. Consequently, we have enshrined in law the equal status of mental and physical health in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
	This commitment is at the heart of our document ‘Closing the Gap; Priorities for essential change in mental health’ which sets out our priorities for action in mental health, the 25 areas where people can expect to see and experience the fastest changes. It also sets out our expectations and shows how changes in local service planning and delivery will make a difference in the next two or three years to the lives of people with mental ill health.
	We are investing over £400 million to give thousands of people, in all areas of the country, access to approved psychological therapies. The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme is fundamental to the success of our drive to improve mental health services.
	On 18 February 2014 we published our mental health ‘Crisis—Care Concordat’ a shared agreement produced by the Home Office and the Department in association with 20 national organisations. This sets out how police, health, social work and ambulance professionals should work together to help people going through a mental health crisis. It describes the principles and best practice that need to be in place to make sure that crisis services work together to give vulnerable people an appropriate response that provides safe care and support in the right setting.
	Carers are central to the Government's proposals for improving care and support, including those who are caring for those with mental health problems. There are significant improvements in the Care Bill for carers, including extending carers' rights to an assessment, which will include consideration of the impact of caring on the carer, and the outcomes they wish to achieve. For the first time, there will be a duty on local authorities to meet carers' eligible needs for support, putting them on an equal footing to the people they care for.
	We have provided £400 million to the NHS over four years from 2011 for carers to have breaks from their caring responsibilities. In the 2013 spending review, we announced the £3.8 billion Better Care Fund, which includes £130 million funding for carers' breaks for 2015-16.
	The Department spent £70.4 million on mental health research in 2012-13.

Multiple Sclerosis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence about approval of the Tecfidera form of dimethyl fumarate as a treatment for MS through the NHS.

Norman Lamb: Ministers have had no such discussions with the British Medical Association or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
	NICE is currently appraising Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and issued initial draft guidance for consultation on 19 February 2014.
	In the absence of NICE technology appraisal guidance, it is for national health service commissioners to make funding decisions on the use of Tecfidera based on an assessment of the available evidence and the individual patient's clinical circumstances.

NHS England

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any directors of NHS England are on the board of (a) HSCIC, (b) Genomics England Limited and (c) PA Consulting.

Jane Ellison: This information is in the public domain. NHS England has one director in common with the board of Genomics England Limited, who is Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, as listed in his declaration of interests which is available on the NHS England website; and no directors in common with the boards of Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIS) and PA Consulting.
	Non-executive directors of NHS England are:
	Lord Victor Adebowale;
	Margaret Casely-Hayford;
	Ciaran Devane;
	Dame Moira Gibb;
	Professor Sir Malcolm Grant; and
	Ed Smith CBE.
	The executive directors of NHS England are:
	Paul Baumann;
	Jane Cummings;
	Dame Barbara Hakin;
	Professor Sir Bruce Keogh;
	Tim Kelsey;
	Bill McCarthy;
	Sir David Nicholson;
	Rosamond Roughton; and
	Jo-Anne Wass.
	The board of Genomics England consists of:
	Professor Sir John Bell;
	Professor Mark Caulfield FMedSci;
	Sir John Chisholm;
	Dame Sally Davies;
	Kevin J. Dean;
	Professor Sir Malcolm Grant;
	Professor Michael Parker;
	Vivienne Parry; and
	Jon Symonds CBE.
	The board of PA Consulting consists of:
	Marcus Agius;
	Esther Dyson;
	Andrew Hooke;
	Alan Middleton;
	Tom Mullen;
	Michael Queen; and
	Richard Wilson.
	This information is also available at the following websites:
	NHS England:
	www.england.nhs.uk/about/whos-who/
	HSCIC:
	www.hscic.gov.uk/our-board
	PA Consulting:
	www.paconsulting.com/about-us/board-of-directors/
	Genomics England Limited:
	www.genomicsengland.co.uk/the-board/
	and
	www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/malcolm-grant-decl.pdf
	We are advised by Genomics England that they will be updating their website.

NHS England

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the name, job title and salary level is of each director who has worked in NHS England since its formation.

Jane Ellison: The information for national director level staff in post during 2013-14 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Name Job title Salary (in £5,000 bands) £000 
			 Professor Sir Malcolm Grant Chair 60 to 65 
			 Lord Victor Adebowale Non-Executive Director 5 to 10 
			 Margaret Casely-Hayford Non-Executive Director 10 
			 Ciaran Devane Non-Executive Director 5 to 10 
			 Dame Moira Gibb Non-Executive Director 5 to 10 
			 Naguib Kheraj Non-Executive Director 10 
			 Ed Smith Non-Executive Director 10 to 15 
			 Sir David Nicholson Chief Executive 210 to 215 
			 Professor Sir Bruce Keogh National Medical Director 190 to 195 
			 Paul Baumann Chief Financial Officer 200 to 205 
			 Dame Barbara Hakin Acting Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief Executive 195 to 200 
			 Bill McCarthy National Director: Policy 175 to 180 
			 Tim Kelsey National Director for Patients and Information 180 to 185 
			 Jo-Anne Wass National Director: HR and Organisation Development 155 to 160 
			 Jane Cummings Chief Nursing Officer 165 to 170 
			 Rosamond Roughton Acting National Director: Commissioning Development 165 to 170 
			 1 Margaret Casely-Hayford and Naguib Kheraj waived their entitlement to remuneration for their appointments. 
		
	
	Earlier information, covering the period from which NHS England was first established in shadow form as the NHS Commissioning Board in October 2011, has been published in that organisation's annual reports, copies of which are held in the Library.
	Information on regional director and equivalent level posts, with corresponding salary bands, is collected every six months by NHS England, as it is by all Government Departments and arm's length bodies. A copy of the information as at 31 March 2013 has been placed in the Library.
	Information covering the period April 2013 to September 2013 is currently being validated by NHS England, as individual staff members must be. informed before publication. However, NHS England expects to be able to disclose the information at the end of the financial year.

NHS: Annual Reports

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the NHS Annual Report to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: The Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2013-14 is expected to be laid before Parliament and published before parliamentary summer recess. The Secretary of State will lay before Parliament and publish an annual report on the performance of the health service in England in 2013-14 later in the year.

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with North West Ambulance Service Trust about delays in attending call-outs.

Jane Ellison: No Ministers in the Department have held such discussions with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
	The most recent performance data (January 2014) show that North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has met all three national response time standards. These data are published by NHS England on a monthly basis and can be found at the following link:
	www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/

PA Consulting Group

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the NHS hospital episode dataset uploaded by PA Consulting is removed after the agreement end date.

Daniel Poulter: The data sharing agreement with PA Consulting is due to end on 30 November 2015, following which PA Consulting will be required to provide a certificate of destruction for the data. The Health and Social Care Information Centre will then decide whether any follow up action is required, such as an audit.

PA Consulting Group

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any security audits have been conducted by his Department on PA Consulting following that company's cancellation of its contracts with the Home Office.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) can confirm that no security audit has been carried out by or for HSCIC in relation to PA Consulting to date since contracts were cancelled with the Home Office. However, if the requirement should arise, the HSCIC has the ability to audit the recipients of any data at any time.

PA Consulting Group

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS England has received payment for allowing PA Consulting to use NHS data.

Daniel Poulter: The Health and Social Care Information Centre is the organisation which holds the data sharing agreement with PA Consulting.
	NHS England has not received any payments from PA Consulting to use national health service data.

Patients: Taxis

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many taxis have been used by ambulance trusts to collect urgent or emergency patients in each region in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: These data are not collected centrally.
	Taxis are never used for patients in emergency or life threatening situations.
	The first priority for all emergency services is the welfare and safety of patients. It is up to individual ambulance trusts to decide how resources are used to meet local demand.
	All 999 calls to the ambulance service are assessed on priority and paramedics are dispatched to the most serious cases first, known as Red calls, which require a response within eight minutes in 75% of cases.
	In very limited circumstances where an ambulance is clearly not required, and the trust is under pressure, patients may be transported by taxis. This is only after the patient has been assessed, usually on a face to face basis, as having a minor ailment and confirmed as having a transport only need.

Social Services

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of adults received social care in each English local authority in each year since 2009-10;
	(2)  how many, and what number per 1,000, of the adult population received social care in each English local authority in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2012-13.

Norman Lamb: We are informed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) that it collects data on the total number of adults aged 18 and over who receive social services funded wholly or in part by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs). This is published annually.
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Tuberculosis

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in each of the last three years.

Jane Ellison: The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United Kingdom is assessed through systematic analysis of notification data obtained from the Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance System run by Public Health England (PHE).
	In 2012 in the UK, a total of 8,751 cases of TB were reported, a rate of 13.9 cases per 100,000 population. In 2011, 8,899 TB cases were reported in the UK (a rate of 14.1/100,000 population), and 8,397 TB cases were reported in 2010 (a rate of 13.5 per 100,000 population).
	The latest analysis can be found in the updated PHE TB annual report, which has been placed in the Library.

Vaccination

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the private availability of vaccines on different measures of health equality.

Jane Ellison: Immunisations provided through the national health service are freely available to all for whom a particular vaccine is recommended. We have not made any assessment of the effect of the private availability of vaccines on health equality.

CABINET OFFICE

Civil Servants: Working Hours

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the change in numbers of civil servants working less than 20 hours per week was between January 2010 and January 2014.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2014
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking what the change in numbers of civil servants working less than 20 hours per week was between January 2010 and January 2014.
	Estimates of Civil Service employment are published annually by the Office for National Statistics, with a survey reference date of 31 March.
	As of 31 March 2010, the Civil Service employment headcount was 527,257, of which there were 22,257 employees working less than 20 hours per week. As of 31 March 2013, the Civil Service employment headcount was 448,835, of which there were 21,435 employees working less than 20 hours per week. Therefore over this period there was a reduction of 822 in the number of employees who worked less than 20 hours per week.

Government Departments: Charities

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much each Government Department has allocated to charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institutions to deliver programmes through the Charities Act 2006 to date.

Nick Hurd: Cabinet Office is investing £470 million over the spending review period directly to support charities and voluntary groups. In most cases these payments are made under the Charities Act 2006.
	Data on the legal powers exercised to make these and previous allocations to charitable, benevolent and philanthropic institutions by the Cabinet Office are not held.

Government Departments: Internet

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the net benefit to the UK economy of data.gov.uk since it publicly launched in January 2010.

Francis Maude: We know that open data are of huge value to the economy. It is difficult to cite an exact figure for the net benefit of:
	www.data.gov.uk
	A recent Deloitte report, available at LINK, cited £1.8 billion of direct benefit and £6.8 billion of indirect benefit to the UK economy from the use of open data, although this also includes data that are not Government data.

Government Departments: Standards

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many consultants have been engaged in the Crown Oversight Function since its creation; what each of their job roles were; and how much has been paid in consultancy fees to date;
	(2)  how many civil servants of what grades have been employed on the Crown Oversight Function since its creation.

Francis Maude: Prior to the last general election the civil service lacked commercial and procurement skills. This Government's commercial and procurement reforms saved taxpayers £3.8 billion last year alone. The Government are strengthening central procurement skills to ensure further savings can be realised. The Crown Oversight Function was created on 1 November 2013 and has 52 civil service roles. Further details will be available via the Department's organogram. Consultants were not employed at Government expense.

Immigration: Northern Ireland

William McCrea: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what change there has been in (a) gross and (b) net immigration into Northern Ireland in the last three years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Caron Walker, dated March 2014
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what change there has been in (a) gross and (b) net immigration into Northern Ireland in the last three years
	The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency publishes statistics on migration flows into and out of Northern Ireland. The latest available migration statistics available are for the period mid-2011 to mid-2012. Table 1 shows total immigration, emigration and net migration for the last three years available. These statistics include all migration between Northern Ireland and both Great Britain and the rest of the world.
	
		
			 Table 1 Total Migration estimates for Northern Ireland, Mid-2009 to Mid-2012 
			  Mid-2009 to Mid-2010 Mid-2010 to Mid-20111 Mid-2011 to Mid-20121 
			 Immigration 24,544 23,724 (-820) 23,255 (-469) 
			 Emigration 23,394 25,218 (+1,824) 24,570 (-648) 
			 Net migration 1,150 -1,494 (-2,644) -1,315 (+179) 
			 1 Figures in italics show change from previous year 
		
	
	These statistics are based on the United Nations definition of a long-term international migrant, that is, someone who changes their country of usual residence for a period of at least one year.
	These data are available on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) website
	http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/population/midyear/CoC_0012.xls

Overseas Students

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many non-EU students (a) came to the UK and (b) departed the UK in the last period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Caron Walker dated March 2014
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-EU students (a) came to the UK and (b) departed the UK in the last period for which figures are available.
	The latest available provisional estimates published by ONS are for the year ending September 2013 and are based on the United Nations definition of a long-term international migrant, that is, someone who changes their country of usual residence for a period of at least one year. In addition to the ONS estimates, the Home Office have published counts of study-related visas issued to non-EEA citizens in 2013.
	a) How many non-EU students came to the UK?
	The latest provisional estimates from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) show that 124,000 non-EU citizens arrived in the UK for formal study in the year ending September 2013, with a margin of error of +/- 14,000. The margin of error refers to the 95 per cent confidence interval and is a measure of the uncertainty associated with making inferences from a sample.
	HO visa and admissions data provide a more complete count for non-EEA students coming to the UK. The latest Home Office data show that there were 218,773 study-related visas issued to non-EEA nationals (including dependants, excluding student visitors) in 2013. Please note that Home Office student visa data will include some short-term migrants, who stay in the UK for less than 12 months.
	b) How many non-EU students departed the UK?
	Latest provisional IPS estimates show that 49,000 non-EU citizens, whose previous main reason for immigrating to the UK was formal study, emigrated from the UK in the year ending September 2013. This estimate has a margin of error of +/- 5,000. It should be noted that a person's main reason for migration may not be their only reason for migration. A note has been published to provide guidance on interpreting previous main reason for migration estimates, particularly within the context of student migration:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/population-and-migration/international-migration-methodology/international-migration-how-to-interpret-table-4.pdf

Profumo Inquiry

Frank Dobson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to Lord Lexden of 18 July 2013, Official Report, House of Lords, column 872, on the Profumo Inquiry, how many of the people interviewed by Lord Denning in his inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Mr Profumo are still alive.

Francis Maude: The information requested is not held centrally.

Public Sector: Fraud

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to publish the report of the independent project review of the Counter Fraud Checking Service once it is completed.

Francis Maude: Prior to the last general election, there was no-cross Government work to tackle the billions of pounds of taxpayers' money lost to fraud.
	We are currently reviewing the business case for a Counter Fraud Checking Service.

Statistics

Katy Clark: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 have had funding secured for their compilation in 2014-15.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2014
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office which statistics identified as high impact outputs with less widespread support by the Office for National Statistics in consultation on statistical products 2013 have had funding secured for compilation in 2014-15. 191785
	As part of the consultation on statistical products 2013, we identified a number of 'high impact outputs with less widespread support' which we can no longer afford to fund. In our consultation response published on our website,
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/about-ons/get-involved/consultations/consultations/statistical-products-2013/response/index.html
	we said that we would continue to seek alternative solutions that would enable their continuing production, but that if alternative solutions have not been identified by 31 March 2014, outputs in this group would no longer be produced by ONS.
	We plan to publish an updated response on our website once the ongoing discussions we are having with a number of Government Departments and agencies about possible funding solutions have concluded. We expect to be in a position to do this by the end of April 2014.

Trade Union Officials

Alun Cairns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what funding his Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many days staff spent on those activities in each of those years.

Francis Maude: Prior to January 2013, the Cabinet Office did not differentiate between time spent on trade union activities and time spent on trade union duties in recording the usage of trade union facility time.
	No facility time has been granted for trade union activities since January 2013.
	Since January 2013, data relating to departmental facility time are published on the GOV.UK website:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-union-facility-time

Unemployment Benefits: Graduates

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many graduates of British universities aged 21 to 25 are claiming unemployment-related benefits.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many graduates of British universities aged 21 to 25 are claiming unemployment-related benefits. (191449)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles data on the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, the main unemployment related benefit, from the JobcentrePlus Administrative System.
	Unfortunately, information on whether claimants have graduated from British universities is not available from this source.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Unemployment Benefits: Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people living in the London borough of Havering have moved off unemployment benefit as a result of gaining employment in 2013.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Peter Fullerton
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in the London Borough of Havering have moved off unemployment benefit as a result of gaining employment in 2013. (191451)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles data on the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), the main unemployment related benefit, from the JobcentrePlus Administrative System. It is not possible to provide data on the number of people who have ceased claiming JSA. As an alternative we have provided data on the total number of claims that have ceased during 2013 which will include multiple instances for some individuals over the year.
	The reason for moving off JSA is not known for over 40% of UK cases. In many of these cases the claimant, will, in fact, have moved into employment. Of the 12,910 moves off JSA in Havering in 2013, 5,685 provided the reason “found work” but this will be an underestimate of the total number of moves into employment.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Unemployment: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people aged 18 to 24 years old in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people aged 18 to 24 in Scotland have been unemployed for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) more than two years. (191751)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles detailed estimates of unemployment from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	The attached table shows the number of people aged 18 to 24 resident in Scotland who were unemployed for less than 6 months, 6 months to less than one year, one year to less than 2 years and over 2 years, according to survey responses from the APS for the period October 2012 to September 2013.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. A guide to the quality of the estimates is given in the table.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			 Number1 of unemployed people aged 18 to 24 resident in Scotland by duration of unemployment, October 2012 to September 2013 
			  Number (Thousand) 
			 Less than 6 months **33 
			 6 months to less than 1year ***12 
			 1 year to less than 2 years ***12 
			 2 years and over ***7 
			 1 Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below. Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Population Survey.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Access to Work Programme

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what consultation his Department undertook with deaf users of the Access to Work scheme and their representative groups prior to introducing recent restrictions on the funding available for communication support through that scheme; and what alternative cost-reduction measures his Department considered;
	(2)  whether his Department undertook (a) an impact assessment and (b) consultation with deaf and deafblind users of Access to Work, their representative organisations and with employers prior to the implementation of Access to Work funding limitations for the provision of communication support for deaf and deafblind people in the workplace;
	(3)  whether his Department applies quotas to different disability groups for funding available through Access to Work; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many fraudulent claims were received by Access to Work for communication support for deaf and deafblind people in each year for which figures are available;
	(5)  what proportion of his Department's Access to Work budget was spent on communication support for (a) deaf and (b) deafblind individuals in each year for which figures are available;
	(6)  what estimate his Department has made of the market value of a NRCPD-registered sign language interpreter; and how this estimate was used during the identification of an appropriate Access to Work funding cap for a full-time sign language interpreter;
	(7)  what estimate he has made of potential additional financial costs for employers resulting from newly implemented restrictions on Access to work funding for communications support for deaf and deafblind people; and what consultation he undertook with employers of deaf people on that matter;
	(8)  what assessment his Department made of the potential effect on deaf and deafblind people of restrictions on access to work funding for the provision of communication support for such people prior to the introduction of those restrictions;
	(9)  how many (a) deaf and (b) deafblind people have employed a full-time communication professional following recent changes in the implementation of access to work guidance;
	(10)  what the surplus or deficit of the Access to Work budget was in each financial year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(11)  what guidance is provided to deaf and deafblind users of the Access to Work scheme regarding that scheme's complaints procedure and the process for requesting a decision review.

Michael Penning: Access to Work supports employed people with all types of disability; the budget is not allocated to particular disability groups in advance of applications. Existing policies on the cost effective funding of full time support workers are being enforced to ensure the programme remains available for new applicants.
	Access to Work supports employed people with all types of disability; the budget is not allocated to particular disability groups in advance of applications. Existing policies on the cost effective funding of full time support workers are being enforced to ensure the programme remains available for new applicants.
	There are no quotas applied to customer numbers or funding for particular disability groups.
	There are currently a small number of investigations where charges have been made and are due to be heard in court over the summer months. We continue to monitor the system for abuse.
	Please note that DWP only has information based on Primary Disability type. Therefore total spend on hearing impaired customers is shown, this includes other Access to Work support. However spend relating to deafblind customers is not available from our records.
	
		
			 Department of Work and Pensions—Access To Work (ATW) 
			  Number of people helped with hearing impairments Amount spent on hearing impairment (£ million) Total ATW customers Total ATW spend (£ million) 
			 2008-09 4,950 21.7 32,130 69 
			 2009-10 5,450 28.5 37,280 98 
			 2010-11 5,300 32.7 35,820 107 
			 2011-12 4,960 34.1 30,780 93 
			 2012-13 5,250 34.5 31,460 95.3

Children: Day Care

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the number of people of pensionable age providing unpaid childcare support.

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available. The Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents estimates that grandparents provided informal child care for 1.8 million children in 1.4 million families in 2012-13 with 4% of these families making some form of payment to the grandparent. We are unable to identify the ages of these grandparents; previous studies have shown that around half of grandparents are aged over 65.
	Source for grandparent age distribution:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/220274/eia-ni-credits-changes.pdf
	Source for Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents-2012-to-2013

Databases

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the accuracy of his Department's databases of people (a) in receipt of and (b) not in receipt of benefits for the purposes of data matching with the electoral register.

Esther McVey: Results of DWP data matching with the electoral register have been subjected to review by both the Electoral Commission and Electoral Registration Transformation Programme with positive results.
	No separate assessment has been made of accuracy of data for benefit and non-benefit recipients for the purposes of data matching with the electoral register.
	To undertake such an assessment would entail disproportionate costs due to the need to contact and compare citizen details against data held by DWP.

Employment and Support Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (a) new employment and support allowance claimants and (b) existing employment and support allowance claimants reporting a change in circumstances receive their benefit payments within (i) one week, (ii) two weeks, (iii) three weeks, (iv) four weeks, (v) eight weeks, (vi) 12 weeks and (vii) more than 12 weeks.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.

Employment Schemes

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what protections have been built into Universal Job Match to ensure the service cannot be infiltrated with non-existent jobs with the aim of accessing personal data; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: The security of a user's data is of the utmost importance to us and built into the service are monitoring tools and vacancy checks, which help to detect, deter and remedy inappropriate use of the site. There are also warnings to users of the service advising them they should not be asked to reveal personal details. Additionally, a 'Contact Us' facility is provided so users can quickly highlight any employers that they may have concerns about. DWP then investigate such concerns.

Employment Schemes: Rhyl

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional funding his Department allocated to the town of Rhyl for the purpose of piloting back-to-work projects in each year since 1997.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Health and Safety Executive: Fees and Charges

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review his Department's Fee for Intervention policy.

Michael Penning: The Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme will be reviewed as recommended in the recent Triennial Review of the Health and Safety Executive. An independent FFI Review Board is being established and will report its conclusions later this year.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households which claim housing benefit do not have access to a kitchen.

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the potential effect on the housing benefit budget of limiting all rents to local authority rent levels.

Steve Webb: It is not possible to make a meaningful assessment. Limiting all rents to local authority rent levels would be a dramatic change to the housing market. It is therefore not possible to reliably predict what would happen to the supply and demand for accommodation, especially in the private rented sector, and the impacts on housing benefit expenditure.

Housing Benefit: Scotland

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much in housing benefit payments was paid to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year.

Steve Webb: The amount paid in housing benefit in 2012-13 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Housing benefit, 2012-13 
			  £ million 
			 Glasgow City 348 
			 City of Edinburgh 200 
			 Dundee City 77 
			 Aberdeen City 55 
			   
			 Note: Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. Benefit expenditure for housing benefit can be found in the local authority tables as per link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266828/la-tables-201213.xls Source: Local authority statistical data and subsidy returns.

Independent Living Fund

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Executive on the closure of the independent living fund.

Michael Penning: The devolved Administrations in Wales and Scotland have been informed of the decision to close the independent living fund on 30 June 2015. I will be writing to Ministers with further details shortly.

Industrial Health and Safety

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Health and Safety Executive Approved Codes of Practice (a) have been reviewed since May 2010, (b) are scheduled for review or amendment and (c) are not currently scheduled for review.

Michael Penning: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reviewing all of its Approved Codes of Practices (ACOP) in line with Professor Löfstedt's independent review of health and safety legislation, 'Reclaiming health and safety for all' (published November 2011).
	(a) 19 ACOPs have been reviewed since May 2010. Of these, five have been revised and re-published, nine consolidated into three revised ACOPs and five withdrawn completely. These are:
	Revised
	L5—Control of substances hazardous to health
	L8—Legionnaires' disease. The Control of legionella bacteria in water systems
	L24—Workplace health, safety and welfare
	L117—Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training
	L118—Health and safety at quarries.
	Consolidated
	L56—Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances. This is a consolidation of two ACOPs (L56 and COP20: Standards of training in safe gas installation) into a single revised ACOP (L56)
	L138—Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres consolidated the following five ACOPs into a single revised ACOP (L138):
	L134—Design of plant, equipment and workplace
	L135—Storage of dangerous substances
	L136—Control and mitigation measures
	L137—Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures
	L138—Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres
	L143—Managing and working with Asbestos. This is a consolidation of two ACOPs (L127—The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises and L143—Work with materials containing asbestos) into a single revised ACOP (L143).
	Withdrawn
	L21—Management of health and safety at work
	L74—First aid at work
	L81—Design, construction and installation of gas service pipes
	L116—Preventing accidents to children in agriculture
	L130—Compilation of safety data sheets.
	(b) A review of a further 14 ACOPS will be completed by the end of 2014. These are:
	COP25 Safety in docks to be replaced by L148 Safety in docks ACOP
	Five Diving ACOPs:
	L103—Commercial diving projects offshore
	L104—Commercial diving projects inland/inshore
	L105—Recreational diving projects
	L106—Media diving projects
	L107—Scientific and archaeological diving projects.
	Three Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations linked ACOPs:
	L22—Safe use of work equipment
	L112—Safe use of power presses
	L114—Safe use of woodworking machinery
	L113-Safe use of lifting equipment
	L101—Safe work in confined spaces
	L122—Safety of pressure systems
	L133—Unloading petrol from road tankers
	L146—Consulting workers on health and safety.
	A further 19 ACOPs associated with changes to legislation and will be reviewed in accordance with the timescale for legislative change.
	(c) All HSE ACOPs are scheduled for review.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (a) new jobseeker's allowance claimants and (b) existing jobseeker's allowance claimants reporting a change in circumstances receive their benefit payments within (i) one week, (ii) two weeks, (iii) three weeks, (iv) four weeks, (v) eight weeks, (vi) 12 weeks and (vii) more than 12 weeks.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people and what proportion of the working age population have been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for over (a) two years, (b) five years and (c) 10 years in each region of England.

Esther McVey: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Jobseeker’s allowance claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population, as at August 2013 
			  All Duration of 2 to 5 years Duration of 5 to 10 years Duration of over 10 years 
			 Region Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 North East 77,400 4.9 14,330 0.9 300 — 50 — 
			 North West 166,260 3.8 22,990 0.5 1,400 — 180 — 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 140,760 4.3 23,660 0.7 810 — 110 — 
			 East Midlands 87,700 3.2 12,900 0.5 630 — 40 — 
			 West Midlands 141,210 4.2 23,410 0.7 1,490 — 120 — 
			 East of England 93,300 2.6 13,370 0.4 420 — 50 — 
			 London 191,590 3.5 30,990 0.6 1,420 — 250 — 
			 South East 107,830 2.1 13,550 0.3 610 — 80 — 
			 South West 68,750 2.2 8,530 0.3 180 — 50 — 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are shown rounded to one decimal place. “—” denotes nil or negligible. 2. Working age population figures are defined as males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. Source: DWP IGS 100% WPLS and ONS Mid-2012 Population Estimates.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Disqualification

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received sanctions in relation to their jobseeker's allowance for non-attendance in (a) the London Borough of Havering and (b) England to date.

Esther McVey: The information requested is published and available at:
	https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
	Guidance for users is available at:
	https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Labour Force Survey

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect (a) generally and (b) on ease of comparisons with previous years of collecting work-related ill-health data through the Labour Force Survey biennially instead of annually.

Michael Penning: Experience from collecting work-related ill health data through the Labour Force Survey from 2003-04 to 2011-12 indicated that figures rarely changed significantly year-on-year. The main value in the data is in comparisons over longer time periods and in combining survey years to look at detailed sub-populations.
	Work-related ill health data for 2013-14 have been collated and will be published in the autumn.

Long Term Unemployed People: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce long term unemployment in Peterborough constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: The Government are committed to helping people off benefits and into work, so it is encouraging that we have seen record numbers of people in work nationally, with unemployment falling.
	The Government's Work programme revolutionises the help available to people who were in danger of becoming long-term unemployed. Private providers offer tailored help to people who may have been out of work for many years - moving them closer to getting a job. According to industry figures released this month (March), half a million people have found work through the Work programme.
	We are determined to do everything we can to support those people who are hardest to help into work, and that is what the Work programme is designed to do, whilst also being a good deal for the tax payer.
	Work coaches in local jobcentres now have the flexibility to offer all claimants a comprehensive menu of help which includes skills provision, job search support and the Flexible Support Fund.

Pensioners

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the pension entitlement is of people of pensionable age who served long sentences in prison.

Steve Webb: A person’s entitlement to the contributory state pension is dependent on the national insurance contributions they have paid or had credited to them over their working life (from the age of 16 up to the year before they reach state pension age) which builds up qualifying years. This will also be the case for the new single tier pension, but with a requirement to have a minimum number of qualifying years.
	A person who has served a long prison sentence during their working life is likely to have a below average entitlement to contributory state pension. However, pension credit is available where the person's (and partner's) income from all sources is inadequate.

Personal Independence Payment

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to tackle delays faced by people waiting for a medical assessment following their application for personal independence payment.

Michael Penning: We are committed to ensuring personal independence payment (PIP) claimants receive high quality, objective, fair and accurate assessments. Since the introduction of PIP new claims in April, we have been closely monitoring all aspects of the process.
	Our latest analysis is telling us that the end-to-end claimant journey is taking longer than expected. We are working closely with the assessment providers to ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to improve performance, speed up the process and ensure claimants receive a satisfactory experience. We are also seeking to ensure that all the steps in the process run as smoothly as possible and that there are no barriers in our processes and systems that contribute to claims taking longer than necessary to progress.

Post Office Card Account

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what his policy is on the payment of benefits into Post Office card accounts;
	(2)  what his policy is on the payment of pensions into Post Office card accounts.

Steve Webb: The Department pays benefits and pensions by direct payment into a bank, building society, credit union or Post Office card account.
	The Post Office card account is a very simple account with limited functionality. Our policy has always been clear that the best option, especially for people of working age, is an account that can accept payments from employers and has transactional facilities such as direct debits for the payment of bills and housing costs.
	The Department is currently in discussions with Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015.

Post Office Card Account

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Post Office Limited and (b) the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters on the future use of the Post Office card account;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the future use of the Post Office card account; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the future use of the Post Office card account.

Steve Webb: The Post Office card account (POca) contract expires in March 2015 with the possibility of a two-year extension beyond that date.
	The POca is a very simple account designed for the receipt of pensions and legacy benefits. It cannot be used for the payment of wages/salaries and does not offer transactional services such as direct debits so will not be suitable for the majority of working age claimants eligible for universal credit.
	No decision has been made on the future of the POca but discussions are currently taking place between DWP, Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015 and any announcement on this matter will be made in due course.
	Ministers and officials have also met with relevant stakeholders, including the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to discuss POca related issues.

Post Office Card Account

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has for the future use of Post Office card accounts.

Steve Webb: The Post Office card account (POca) contract expires in March 2015 with the possibility of a two-year extension beyond that date.
	No decision has been made on the future of the POca but discussions are currently taking place between DWP, Post Office Ltd and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to consider the future needs of customers beyond 2015.

Post Office Card Account: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Warrington currently have benefits of which type paid into a Post Office card account.

Steve Webb: The information is not available in the format requested as data held relate to payment accounts rather than people. A customer may receive benefits in the form of a separate payment for each benefit to which they are entitled or a single, combined payment. Each of these payments is termed a payment account which would be paid into the same Post Office card account.
	The number of payment accounts paid into a Post Office card account split by benefit type in Warrington local authority as at February 2013 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of payment accounts paid via a Post Office card account by benefit type in Warrington local authority: February 2013 
			  Number 
			 Total Benefits paid via Post Office card accounts 9,540 
			 Attendance Allowance 390 
			 Bereavement Benefit 10 
			 Disability Living Allowance 1,260 
			 Employment and Support Allowance 610 
			 Incapacity Benefit 200 
			 Carer's Allowance 170 
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 190 
			 Income Support 480 
			 Jobseeker's Allowance 440 
		
	
	
		
			 Pension Credit 1,730 
			 State Pension 3,970 
			 Severe Disablement Benefit 90 
			 Widow's Benefit 10 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures refer to payment accounts. Claimants with more than one account will be counted for each account. Figures only relate to accounts live and in payment on the specified date. Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate, 100% data

Social Security Benefits

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the quality of the administration of the short-term benefit advances scheme since its inception.

Esther McVey: DWP has a quality framework in place for checking the accuracy of Short Term Benefit Advance decisions. In February 2014, checks confirmed 96% accuracy of application decisions. In terms of timeliness, an average 98% of all application decisions made throughout the operational year since April 2013 were made within 24 hours.

Social Security Benefits

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the potential for improved administration and awareness of the short-term benefit advances scheme to affect demand for food banks; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: DWP does make claimants aware of relevant support services, but will always consider whether it has provision first.
	Short-term benefit advance awards are available to those entitled to them prior to initial payment of benefit, almost 100% of applications are routinely processed within 24 hours.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people and what proportion of the working population have been in receipt of incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance for over (a) two years, (b) five years and (c) 10 years in each region of England.

Esther McVey: The information requested is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA) claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population—as at August 2013 
			 Region All cases % Duration of 2 to 5 years % Duration of 5 to 10 years % Duration of over 10 years % 
			 North East 29,950 1.9 1,820 0.1 6,380 0.4 21,500 1.4 
			 North West 77,400 1.8 3,250 0.1 17,650 0.4 55,980 1.3 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 47,770 1.5 1,980 0.1 10,700 0.3 34,760 1.1 
			 East Midlands 39,600. 1.4 1,370 — 9,020 0.3 28,820 1.0 
			 West Midlands 55,560 1.6 2,130 0.1 13,770 0.4 39,260 1.2 
			 East of England 45,960 1.3 1,730 — 12,710 0.4 31,030 0.9 
			 London 87;890 1.6 4,420 0.1 26,990 0.5 55,570 1.0 
			 South East 60,710 1.2 2,250 — 15,570 0.3 42,410 0.8 
			 South West 51,240 1.6 1,960 0.1 13,200 0.4 35,620 1.1 
		
	
	
		
			 Employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants in each region in England by duration of claim and as a percentage of the working age population—as at August 2013 
			 Region All % Duration of up to 5 years % 
			 North East 102,540 6.5 16,010 1.0 
			 North West 284,580 6.6 49,000 1.1 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 170,050 5.2 29,980 0.9 
			 East Midlands 130,210 4.7 23,430 0.8 
			 West Midlands 166,670 4.9 30,220 0.9 
			 East of England 133,560 3.8 26,410 0.7 
			 London 227,650 4.1 48,070 0.9 
			 South East 185,150 3.5 36,240 0.7 
			 South West 135,980 4.3 26,390 0.8 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are shown rounded to one decimal place."—" denotes nil or negligible. 2. Working age population figures are defined as males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. 3. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. 4. Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance figures will include some people receiving national insurance credits only. 5. The caseload data provided for IB/SDA and ESA is published and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool Source: DWP IGS 100% WPLS and ONS Mid-2012 Population Estimates

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit claimants have been sanctioned for (a) four weeks, (b) three months and (c) three years in each month since January 2010.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits: Immigrants

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what work his Department has commissioned on the use by migrants of UK welfare systems.

Esther McVey: The previous Government did not collect data; we are rectifying this and the data collected on migrants' use of the welfare system continue to grow as the current welfare reforms are rolled out. For example, under the recently strengthened habitual residence test we have started to record nationality and immigration status.
	Under universal credit we will also make better records of claimants’ circumstances including nationality.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in disability living allowance and personal independence payments to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year.

Michael Penning: The amount paid in disability living allowance in 2012-13 can be found in the following table.
	Personal independence payments were introduced in April 2013 and therefore there was no expenditure in the 2012-13 financial year.
	
		
			 DLA 2012-13 
			  £ million 
			 Glasgow City 234 
			 Edinburgh, City of 93 
			 Dundee City 47 
			 Aberdeen City 40 
			 Note: Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. The benefit expenditure for disability living allowance can be found in the local authority tables as per the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266828/la-tables-201213.xls Source: DWP statistical data

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how much was paid in employment and support allowance payments to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year;
	(2)  how much was paid in jobseeker’s allowance payments to recipients in (a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Dundee and (d) Aberdeen in the last year.

Esther McVey: The amount paid in employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance in 2012-13 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 2012-13 
			 £ million 
			  ESA JSA 
			 Glasgow City 153 83 
			 Edinburgh, City of 55 38 
			 Dundee City 26 19 
		
	
	
		
			 Aberdeen City 25 11 
			 Note: Expenditure is shown for the last complete financial year. Benefit expenditure for employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance can be found in the local authority tables at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266828/la-tables-201213.xls Source: DWP statistical data.

Unemployed People: New Businesses

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to promote small business entrepreneurial skills for people who are currently unemployed.

Esther McVey: The Government are keen to promote and provide support to help people start and build their own business. One of the ways we are doing this is through the new enterprise allowance (NEA).
	The NEA provides access to business mentoring and financial support for people on benefits interested in starting up their own business. The financial support consists of a weekly allowance payable over 26 week's worth up to £1,274. If participants need start-up capital they may also apply for an unsecured loan through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills start-up loan scheme.
	So far 32,520 businesses have been created and 56,700 claimants have started working with a mentor.
	We announced in the autumn statement our intention to extend the scheme through to 2015-16.

Unemployment Benefits

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been in receipt of out-of-work benefits for (a) one year, (b) two years and (c) three years or more in (i) Wrexham constituency, (ii) Wales and (iii) the UK in each of the last three years.

Esther McVey: The information we can provide is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Out of work benefit claimants by statistical group and duration of oldest claim, for Great Britain, Wales and Wrexham constituency: August 2011 to August 2013 
			   All Up to 1 year 1 to 2 years 2 to 3 years 3 years and over 
			 August 2011 Great Britain 4,842,010 1,937,380 503,230 290,240 2,111,170 
			  Wales 296,370 105,870 27,670 18,030 144,790 
			  Wrexham 6,350 2,370 620 420 2,930 
			        
			 August 2012 Great Britain 4,721,460 2,138,490 649,290 313,940 1,619,740 
			  Wales 286,820 124,910 35,260 17,320 109,320 
			  Wrexham 6,090 2,850 660 380 2,200 
			        
			 August 2013 Great Britain 4,395,860 2,051,340 881,810 389,270 1,073,440 
			  Wales 267,890 121,960 53,400 21,180 71,340 
		
	
	
		
			  Wrexham 5,710 2,740 1,160 400 1,400 
			 Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Out of work benefits which are included in this analysis are: Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance (IB/SDA) Income Support (IS). 3. Incapacity Benefit and IS on incapacity grounds were replaced by Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. 4. The duration of claim reflects the longest out-of-work benefit claim for each person. 5. Where a claim has converted to ESA from IB/SDA or IS data reflects duration from start of ESA claim. 6. Great Britain data have been provided as the information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research.htm Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 
		
	
	Where a claim has converted to employment and support allowance (ESA) from incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance or income support the data reflects the duration from the start of ESA claim. Most of these re-assessments have occurred since April 2011 when the re-assessment process commenced.

Universal Credit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether the universal credit system will accept new claims for employment and support allowance by the end of 2016;
	(2)  whether claimants who begin claiming employment and support allowance prior to new claims being accepted by the universal credit system will be transferred to the universal credit system by the start of 2017 or end of 2017;
	(3)  whether the universal credit system will accept (a) any and (b) all new claims for employment and support allowance at the start of 2017 or end of 2017.

Esther McVey: While the majority of the legacy caseload will move to universal credit during 2016 and 2017, claimants in receipt of income based employment and support allowance (ESA) will retain their current arrangements during this period unless there is a relevant change in their circumstances. Final decisions on the implementation of the programme will be informed by the development of the enhanced digital solution.

Universal Credit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of processing a change in a claimant's circumstances when he or she (a) moves to live in an area where universal credit is not being piloted, (b) forms a new relationship and are re-classified as part of a couple and (c) has a child.

Esther McVey: No estimate of this has been made (in the examples quoted the changes would be processed in the same way as any other reported change of circumstances).

Universal Credit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the IT systems supporting universal credit are able to process a change in a claimant's circumstances when he or she (a) moves to live in an area where universal credit is not being piloted, (b) forms a new relationship and is re-classified as part of a couple and (c) has a child.

Esther McVey: Where a universal credit claimants circumstances change in the way set out IT systems support the processing of those changes.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what effect on the budget of universal credit the decision to develop a second IT system will have; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 December 2013, Official Report, column 314W.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the claimants who have returned to Jobcentre Plus after 104 weeks on the Work Programme are attached to each jobcentre in the UK; and what proportion of each jobcentre's caseload such people represent.

Esther McVey: Statistics on the number of claimants, who have returned to Jobcentre Plus after 104 weeks on the Work programme, by Jobcentre Plus district, can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance
	In order to calculate the proportions, statistics on the number of jobseeker's allowance claimants by Jobcentre Plus district can be found at:
	https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp
	Guidance for users can be found at:
	https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp

Work Programme: Brigg

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in Brigg and Goole constituency who have begun an apprenticeship through support provided on the work programme.

Esther McVey: The data requested are not available. Participants on the Work programme are some of the hardest people to help into work, what we do know from the latest industry published statistics is that nationally from June 2011 to December 2013, 498,000 people have been helped into work by the Work programme.

DEFENCE

Combat Troops: Human Rights Legislation

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take to ensure that human rights legislation does not apply to troops deployed in combat operations.

Philip Hammond: It is for the courts to decide in what circumstances legislation applies. The Government are however clear that forces in combat must be able to take operationally necessary decisions without worrying about the risk of future civil litigation. We have therefore made clear that we will consider legislating in this area should the need arise.

Army Helicopter Capability

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress he has made on upgrading army helicopter capability; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Dunne: The Government are committed to providing the armed forces with the helicopter capability required to deliver Future Force 2020. For the Army this includes the Apache and Wildcat battlefield helicopters.
	We expect the Army variant of the Wildcat helicopter to achieve Initial Operating Capability later this year, and to fully replace the in-service Lynx Mk7 and Mk9a fleets later this decade.
	In addition, as the Secretary of State for Defence, announced at the end of January, we have recently placed a contract worth £430 million with Agusta Westland to support the Apache fleet for the next five years, and are currently considering options to sustain this fleet until its planned out of service date in 2040.

Afghanistan: Force Withdrawal

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for the withdrawal of UK personnel and heavy equipment from Afghanistan through Russian territory; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Hammond: We use a number of Lines of Communication to move personnel and equipment into and out of Afghanistan. Currently, a very small proportion of materiel, around 1%, is being redeployed from Afghanistan by means of the Northern Line of Communication, which includes Russia. We keep all Lines of Communication under constant review and stand ready to adapt our redeployment plans should the need arise.

Injured Service Personnel: Competitive Sport

Mark Pawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to increase opportunities for injured service personnel to participate in competitive sporting events.

Anna Soubry: All personnel, but especially injured service personnel, are encouraged to participate in competitive sporting events. Earlier this month, it was announced that the first Invictus games will be held in September. It is anticipated that some 100 serving and veteran wounded, injured and sick personnel will take part.
	The games will be an international sporting competition bringing together armed forces of nations that have served alongside each other. The Invictus games will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.
	Another key component of our approach is Battle Back, a Ministry of Defence-led Adaptive Sport and Adventurous Training programme. Individuals are being introduced to it at Headley Court, Lilleshall or through the network of personnel recovery centres.

Watchkeeper Vehicles

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army plans to begin flying Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles.

Philip Dunne: The Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft system was awarded an initial release to service three weeks ago on 28 February 2014 and personnel from the 1st Artillery Brigade will begin training flights from Boscombe Down next month. Watchkeeper will provide the British Army with an enduring tactical surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

Army Recruitment

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve the Army’s recruitment process.

Anna Soubry: The Secretary of State for Defence, said on 14 January 2014, Official Report, columns 715-16, we are taking a number of steps to improve recruiting performance. These include the major recruiting campaign currently under way for Regular Army and Army Reserve personnel, highlighting the variety of roles and skills available in the Army, an improved offer to Reservists, and a more efficient application and medical assessment process for all candidates.

Air Force

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library copies of the (a) operating cost statement, (b) balance sheet, (c) statement of recognised gains and losses, (d) cash flow statement and (e) fixed asset register for each of Air Command's basic level budget groups for financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library copies of Air Command's (a) operating cost statement (b) balance sheet, (c) statement of recognised gains and losses, (d) cash flow statement and (e) fixed asset register for financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13.

Mark Francois: Air Command is not required to produce financial records in the format requested at Basic Level Budget level.
	However, I am placing in the Library of the House operating cost statements and balance sheets for the Air Command Top Level Budget for financial years (FY) 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the Statement of Changes in Taxpayers' Equity (this expanded set of information replaced the statement of recognised gains and losses in 2009-10) and cash flow statements for the Air Command Top Level Budget for FY 2010-11 and 2012-13. The Statement of Changes in Taxpayers' Equity and cashflow statements were not produced for Top Level Budgets for FY2011-12 across the Department.
	The fixed asset register could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Air Force

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) number of established posts filled is for each RAF operational squadron.

Mark Francois: The establishment and number of established posts filled for each RAF operational flying Squadron as at 11 March 2014 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Location Squadron Strength Establishment 
			 Akrotiri (air base) 84 SQN 17 17 
			 Various units—SAR 202 SQN 72 77 
			 Various units—SAR 22 SQN 77 77 
			 Basingstoke (RAF Odiham) 7 SQN 163 181 
			 Basingstoke (RAF Odiham) 18 SQN 100 112 
			 Basingstoke (RAF Odiham) 27 SQN 107 112 
			 Elgin (RAF Lossiemouth) 12 SQN1 28 181 
			 Elgin (RAF Lossiemouth) 617 SQN2 138 183 
			 Kings Lynn (RAF Marham) II (AC) SQN 178 182 
			 Kings Lynn (RAF Marham) 31 (B) SQN 179 182 
			 Kings Lynn (RAF Marham) IX (B) SQN 186 182 
			 Las Vegas (Creech AFB) 39 SQN 79 92 
			 Lincoln (RAF Coningsby) 11 SQN 156 163 
			 Lincoln (RAF Coningsby) 3 SQN (F) 170 164 
			 Lincoln (RAF Waddington) 14 SQN3 140 7 
			 Lincoln (RAF Waddington) V SQN 169 157 
			 Lincoln (RAF Waddington) 51 SQN 188 224 
			 Lincoln (RAF Waddington) 8 SQN 250 287 
			 Lincoln (RAF Waddington) XIII SQN 93 77 
			 Northallerton (RAF Leeming) 100 SQN 24 36 
			 Oxford (RAF Benson) 230 SQN 103 120 
			 Oxford (RAF Benson) 28 SQN 131 159 
			 Oxford (RAF Benson) 33 SQN 118 138 
		
	
	
		
			 Oxford (RAF Benson) 78 SQN 122 148 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 10 SQN 97 113 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 101 SQN 78 111 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 216 SQN 330 390 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 24 SQN 77 80 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 30 SQN 52 71 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 47 SQN 104 148 
			 Oxford (RAF Brize Norton) 99 SQN 323 304 
			 Ruislip (RAF Northolt) 32 (TR) SQN 68 57 
			 St Andrews (RAF leuchars) 1(F) SQN 161 165 
			 ST Andrews (RAF Leuchars) 6 SQN 183 189 
			 Total — 4,461 4,886 
			 1 Squadron disbanding on 31 March 2014. 2 Squadron disbanding on 31 March 2014. 3 This Squadron was temporarily established to support an Urgent Operational Requirement.

Air Force

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of Air Command's Command Plan for financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Mark Francois: I am withholding the plans as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.

Air Force

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each branch and trade in the Royal Air Force.

Mark Francois: Branches and trades in the Royal Air Force are set out in the following table and list:
	
		
			 Functional Branches 
			 Branch Specialisation 
			 Flying (Fg) Pilot 
			 Remotely Piloted Air System (Pilot) (RPAS(P))  
			 Weapons Systems Officer (WSO)  
			 Air Traffic Control (ATC)  
			 Aerospace Battle Manager (ABM)  
			 Intelligence (Int)  
			 Flight Operations (Fit Ops)  
			 Fit Ops Fire  
			 RAF Regiment (Regt)  
			 Provost (Prov)  
			 Engineer (Eng) Aerosystems (AS) 
			 Communications-Electronics (CE)  
			 Logistics (Logs)  
			 Medical Support Officer (MSO)  
			 Personnel (Pers)  
			 Medical  
			 Chaplain  
			 Legal  
		
	
	
		
			 Nursing Officer  
			 Director of Music (DOM)  
		
	
	RAF Trades
	Aircraft Engineering:
	Aircraft Engineering Technician
	Aircraft Technician (Avionics)
	Aircraft Technician (Mechanical)
	Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (Avionics)
	Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (Mechanical)
	Engineering Technician Weapon
	Weapon Technician
	Information and Communications Technology Manager
	Information and Communications Technology Technician
	Information and Communications Technology Aerial Erector
	General Engineering Technician
	General Technician Electrical
	General Technician (Mechanical)
	General Technician Workshops
	Logistics (Driver).
	Force Protection:
	RAF Police
	Gunner
	Firefighter.
	Air Traffic Control:
	Air Traffic Controller
	Air Traffic Control Assistant
	Flight Operations Manager
	Flight Operations Assistant
	Meteorological Observer.
	General Service:
	Trainee
	RAF Physical Training Instructor.
	Intelligence:
	Intelligence Analyst
	Intelligence Analyst (Voice) (Includes Student (Sdt) trade).
	Aerospace Systems Operating:
	Aerospace Systems Manager
	Aerospace Systems Operator
	SNCO Weapons Control.
	Safety and Surface:
	Survival Equipment Fitter
	Painter and Finisher.
	Photography:
	Photographer
	Air Cartographer.
	Medical:
	Pharmacy Technician
	Environmental Health Technician
	Operating Department Practitioner
	Radiographer
	Biomedical Scientist
	RAF Medic.
	The Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service (PMRAFNS):
	Nurses Spine
	Registered Nurse (Adult)
	Registered Nurse (Mental Health).
	Dental:
	Dental Technician
	Dental Hygienist
	Dental Nurse.
	Personnel:
	Personnel (Support).
	Logistics:
	Logistics (Supplier)
	Logistics (Mover).
	Logistics:
	Logistics (Catering Manager (Chef)
	Logistics (Chef)
	Logistics (Catering Manager)
	Logistics (Caterer).
	Music:
	Musician.

Air Force: Military Bases

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which Royal Air Force bases and establishments in England are currently in use;
	(2)  which RAF bases and establishments (a) have been closed since 2010 and (b) are due to be closed;
	(3)  which Royal Air Force bases and establishments in Wales are currently in use;
	(4)  which Royal Air Force bases and establishments in Northern Ireland are currently in use;
	(5)  which overseas Royal Air Force bases and establishments are currently in use;
	(6)  which Royal Air Force bases and establishments in Scotland are currently in use.

Andrew Murrison: The information requested in respect of RAF Main Bases is set out below.
	RAF Main Bases in England:
	RAF Benson (Joint Helicopter Command base)
	RAF Boulmer
	RAF Brize Norton
	RAF College Cranwell
	RAF Coningsby
	RAF Cosford
	RAF Halton
	RAF Henlow
	RAF High Wycombe
	RAF Honington
	RAF Leeming
	RAF Linton on Ouse
	RAF Marham
	RAF Northholt
	RAF Odiham (Joint Helicopter Command base)
	RAF Scampton
	RAF Shawbury
	RAF St Mawgan
	RAF Waddington
	RAF Wittering
	RAF Main Bases in Scotland:
	RAF Lossiemouth
	RAF Leuchars
	RAF Bases in Wales:
	RAF Valley
	RAF Main Bases in Northern Ireland:
	Nil
	RAF Main Bases overseas:
	There are no RAF Main Bases overseas; however there is a large RAF presence at the following Permanent Joint Operating Base overseas locations operated by Joint Force Command:
	Ascension Island
	Cyprus
	Falkland Islands
	Gibraltar
	RAF Main Bases that have closed, and have transferred to other Defenceuse, since 2010:
	RAF Cottesmore
	RAF Kinloss
	RAF Lyneham
	RAF Main Bases due to close and will transfer to other Defence use:
	RAF Leuchars.
	In addition to Main Bases, the RAF also operates a number of minor units, weapon ranges, radar sites and RAF Reserves units, and maintains an interest in the US Visiting Force airfields, a number of which have also closed since 2010. In addition, RAF units are also deployed in support of operations overseas.

Air Force: Military Bases

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which RAF bases and establishments are held on a leasehold basis.

Andrew Murrison: No RAF bases or establishments are completely held on a leasehold basis. However, small areas of land and/or some buildings at the following RAF bases and establishments are held on a leasehold basis:
	RAF Benbecula
	RAF Boulmer
	RAF Brize Norton
	RAF Buchan
	RAF Conningsby
	RAF Cottesmore
	RAF Cranwell
	RAF Croughton
	RAF Daws Hill
	RAF Fairford
	RAF Fylingdales
	RAF High Wycombe
	RAF Kinloss
	RAF Lossiemouth
	RAF Lakenheath
	RAF Leeming
	RAF Leuchars
	RAF Linton on Ouse
	RAF Marham
	RAF Mildenhall
	RAF Saxa Vord
	RAF Scampton
	RAF Shawbury
	RAF Spadeadam
	RAF St Mawgan
	RAF Valley
	RAF Waddington

Air Force: Property

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) location and (b) value is of all land and buildings, dwellings—tangible fixed assets valued at £1 million or over held on Air Command's balance sheet.

Andrew Murrison: Details of Air Command's land and building dwelling assets valued at £1 million and over are shown in the following table. The values are net book values (NBV) as at 31 March 2013. Assets under construction at any of the locations are not included.
	
		
			 Location NBV 31 March 2013 (£ million) 
			 CBRN Winterbourne Gunner 6.2 
			 MOD St Athan 9.0 
			 RAF Brize Norton 42.4 
			 RAF Coningsby 19.9 
			 RAF Cranwell 49.2 
			 RAF Halton 6.0 
			 RAF High Wycombe 14.7 
			 RAF Honington 14.5 
			 RAF Leeming 19.8 
			 RAF Linton on Ouse 2.6 
			 RAF Marham 6.2 
			 RAF Northolt 24.7 
			 RAF Shawbury 10.7 
			 RAF Valley 8.8 
			 RAF Waddington 2.8 
			 RAF Wittering 12.6 
			 RAF Wyton 15.1

Air Force: Property

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) location and (b) value is of all land and buildings, non-dwellings tangible fixed assets valued at £1 million or over held on Air Command's balance sheet.

Andrew Murrison: Details of Air Command's land and building non-dwelling assets valued at £1 million and over are shown in the following table. The values are net book values (NBV) as at 31 March 2013. Assets under construction at any of the locations are not included.
	
		
			 Location NBV 31 March 2013 (£ million) 
			 Bordon 2.9 
			 CBRN Winterbourne Gunner 11.1 
			 Centurion Building—Hampshire 6.4 
			 Chetwynd Airfield 1.8 
			 DCAE Cosford 105.9 
			 Hampshire Road Bordon 2.7 
			 Hazebrouck Barracks 44.9 
			 HMS Sultan 110.0 
			 ISS St Eval 1.3 
			 JSATI Llanrwst 1.1 
			 Kenley Aerodrome 1.1 
			 Little Rissington Airfield 3.6 
			 Manston Station 8.3 
		
	
	
		
			 MOD St Athan 10.4 
			 MOD Stafford 31.7 
			 Prince Philip Barracks 3.3 
			 RAF Barkston Heath 3.0 
			 RAF Barnham 1.3 
			 RAF Boulmer 14.3 
			 RAF Brampton 45.1 
			 RAF Brize Norton 82.7 
			 RAF Church Fenton 4.7 
			 RAF Colerne 3.4 
			 RAF Coningsby 66.0 
			 RAF Cottesmore 23.8 
			 RAF Cranwell 64.1 
			 RAF Fylingdales 38.1 
			 RAF Halton 28.6 
			 RAF Henlow 20.1 
			 RAF High Wycombe 78.1 
			 RAF Honington 14.6 
			 RAF Kinloss 60.9 
			 RAF Kirton in Lindsey 6.1 
			 RAF Leeming 45.5 
			 RAF Leuchars 20.0 
			 RAF Linton on Ouse 21.6 
			 RAF Lossiemouth 15.6 
			 RAF Lyneham 25.9 
			 RAF Marham 41.8 
			 RAF Northolt 183.5 
			 RAF Portreath 2.7 
			 RAF Scampton 11.7 
			 RAF Shawbury 18.2 
			 RAF Spadeadam 1.7 
			 RAF St Mawgan 4.9 
			 RAF Syerston 17.6 
			 RAF Topcliffe 2.1 
			 RAF Valley 21.9 
			 RAF Waddington 95.2 
			 RAF Wittering 36.5 
			 RAF Woodvale 4.2 
			 RAF Wyton 21.7 
			 RHQ AGC Worthy Down 12.0 
			 RRH Staxton Wold 3.2 
			 West Wessex Volunteer Estate 1.9 
			 Total 1,510.8

Armed Forces

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Single Integrated Capability Priority List.

Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has moved away from the concept of holding a list of projects that compete for funding as a basis for apportioning the unallocated budget. Instead, high-level military objectives have been mapped to the elements, such as equipment and support, necessary to achieve those objectives. This process has been used to identify where and when gaps in future capability might appear, to inform the apportionment of the unallocated budget available from 2017-18 onwards. This approach was set out in the NAO EP 2013 to 2023 report published on 12 February 2014, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces Pay Review Body

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Triennial Review of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body will be completed; and what estimate he has made of the cost of this review.

Andrew Murrison: The Triennial Review of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body is expected to be completed shortly. The review has been conducted with the use of existing staff resources.

Bomb Disposal: Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions military personnel were deployed on the streets of Northern Ireland to deal with explosive devices in 2013.

Mark Francois: The Explosive Ordnance Device teams in Northern Ireland respond with great professionalism to requests for assistance. We will continue to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the most operationally effective way.
	Incidents requiring explosive ordnance disposal experts in Northern Ireland are dealt with solely by military personnel. The information requested on the number of occasions Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel have responded to incidents in Northern Ireland is published annually in the Report of the Independent Reviewer of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. A copy of the report covering up to July 2013 is available in the Library of the House.
	Between August 2013 and December 2013, Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel have responded on a further 168 occasions to incidents in Northern Ireland.

Capita

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of the break clauses in each contract his Department currently holds with Capita.

Philip Dunne: In any contract, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) can include a break clause that allows it to terminate a contract at its convenience before the expiry of its term. This may be required to respond to changes to Government policy or other unexpected events.
	The MOD has a standard break clause (Defence Condition (DEFCON) 656); the general terms of which include actions the MOD wants the contractor to take in the event of a break, the types of liabilities that will fall to the MOD and the general principle that MOD liability will not exceed the contract price. Individual contracts may have specific terms attached to the clause but in most cases they do not have a monetary value associated with them.
	DEFCON 656 states that break clauses must be included in all goods and service contracts due to last nine months or more and which have a value over £250,000, or in any contract below that threshold where there is a risk that the customer may withdraw the requirement.
	Separate provisions in contracts cover instances when the MOD may terminate a contract if a supplier breaches the terms and requirements of the contract.
	Only one MOD contract with Capita has a monetary value associated with its break clause. This contract is related to the provision of theatre network services and I am withholding the value as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Sovereign Base Areas Administration or the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will be responsible for formulating the new planning regime for the Cyprus sovereign base areas.

Andrew Murrison: The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are working together to formulate the formal planning zones and policies for the SBAs. This is in accordance with the arrangement signed on 16 January 2014 between the UK and Republic of Cyprus Governments relating to the regulation of development in the SBAs.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to conduct a strategic environmental assessment on the new planning regime to be developed in the Cyprus sovereign base areas.

Mark Francois: The Sovereign Base Areas Administration is currently evaluating the legislative and procedural requirements needed for the new planning regime, which will include legislating for strategic environmental assessments.

Cyprus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the new planning regime for non-military development in the Cyprus sovereign base areas will be subject to public consultation before it its introduced.

Mark Francois: The framework for introducing formal planning zones and policies for the regulation of development in the sovereign base areas is currently being prepared by the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the Republic of Cyprus. It has not yet been completed. The procedures normally applied in the Republic of Cyprus for operating a planning regime, including the participation of local authorities, the general public and other organisations, are likely to be applied.

Defence

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the UK's gross domestic product the Government spend on defence; and what steps he is taking to encourage the UK's NATO allies to match this proportion.

Andrew Murrison: The NATO-recognised figure for UK Defence spending as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012 is 2.3%; the latest estimate for 2013 is 2.4%.
	Ministers and officials remind allies at all appropriate opportunities of NATO's resource guidance that members of the Alliance should devote 2.0% of GDP to defence spending.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what criteria his Department used in its decision on to whom to award the contract to manage the Defence Infrastructure Organisation;
	(2)  what the role of the new strategic partner taking over the Defence Infrastructure Organisation will be in the statutory planning process; and whether his Department will be the final arbiter in planning matters relating to local plans regarding his Department's land and property following that new partner assuming its role.

Andrew Murrison: The evaluation of the tenders that informed the decision to appoint a Preferred Bidder for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)'s Strategic Business Partner was in accordance with the criteria published in the Invitation to Negotiate and was designed to identify the most economically advantageous solution for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that represented the best way forward for the DIO and value for money for the taxpayer.
	The Strategic Business Partner will have responsibility for managing the DIO, including the DIO's input into the statutory planning process, in accordance with existing MOD policy, rules and guidelines. Under the contractual governance arrangements the MOD will retain final approval in any matters, including planning, which are not covered by the DIO's delegated powers, which would fall within the existing MOD approvals framework or which are classed as “sensitive or novel”.
	In addition, the MOD will retain its role in exercising any specific exemptions or powers on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence in planning matters.

Dounreay

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral statement of 6 March 2014, Official Report, columns 1077-79, on nuclear submarines, what the evidential basis is for the statement that there has been no detectable radiation leak from the sealed circuit of the nuclear reactor in HMS Vanguard at Dounreay.

Philip Hammond: There has been no leak from the Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) at Dounreay. There have been no reported issues with the reactor on HMS Vanguard. All naval nuclear reactor plant have sensitive radiation monitoring and other equipment installed that are able to detect leaks from the sealed reactor circuit.
	Some discharges of noble gases did increase at NRTE as a result of increased sampling, but these were still less than half the regulatory limit, which itself is a tiny fraction of the public dose limit. Discharge information is published annually as part of the “Radioactivity in Food and the Environment” publication, available from the SEPA website at:
	www.sepa.org.uk

Dounreay

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Ministers in his Department were first made aware of problems with the reactor cooling systems at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment; and which Minister was so informed.

Philip Dunne: The Secretary of State for Defence was made aware of the issue with the reactor core in May 2012, shortly after it had been confirmed that the most probable cause of low levels of radioactivity in the reactor's cooling water was a breach in a small area of the metal cladding that surrounds one fuel element within the core of the reactor. It took a number of months to test and investigate the issue.

Dounreay

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date in January 2012 the problem with the reactor cooling systems at the Dounreay Naval Reactor Test Establishment was detected.

Philip Dunne: The first indication of the issue with the reactor at the Naval Reactor Test Establishment followed routine sampling on 25 January 2012. It then took a number of months to investigate further and carry out additional sampling and assessments to ascertain what the situation was.

Gibraltar

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what type of ships are held for Maritime Security Operations in Gibraltar.

Mark Francois: The Royal Navy patrols British Gibraltar Territorial Waters as part of Her Majesty's Government's commitment to uphold our sovereignty against unlawful incursions with a range of proportionate naval, police and diplomatic responses.
	The Royal Navy's presence in Gibraltar is maintained by the Gibraltar Squadron, consisting of HMS Scimitar and HMS Sabre and is frequently bolstered by Royal Naval vessels transiting the region.

International Military Sales

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on legal costs relating to International Military Sales Ltd in each of the last five years.

Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has not spent any funds on legal costs related to International Military Services Ltd in each of the last five years. These costs are a matter for the company.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to station any of the new F35 joint strike fighters in the Falkland Islands following their commissioning into service.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence continually reviews its force structure and basing options, but at present there are no plans to station UK F-35 aircraft in the Falkland Islands following their acceptance into service.

Military Aircraft

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many (a) Typhoon, (b) Tornado GR4 and (c) Sentinel R1 aircraft are (i) fully serviceable, (ii) undergoing first line maintenance, (iii) undergoing second line maintenance and (iv) undergoing third and fourth line maintenance; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) C-17A Globemaster, (b) Hercules C1/C3 (K), (c) Hercules C4/C5 (J), (d) Tristar and (e) VC10 aircraft are (i) fully serviceable, (ii) undergoing first line maintenance, (iii) undergoing second line maintenance and (iv) undergoing third and fourth line maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Dunne: First to fourth line maintenance are terms no longer in use with the RAF. Aircraft are now either in the Forward or Depth Fleets. The Forward Fleet comprises aircraft which are serviceable and those which are short-term unserviceable. Short-term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification or technical inspection work that can arise on a day-to-day basis.
	The Depth Fleet comprises aircraft which are undergoing planned depth maintenance, upgrade programmes and fleet management temporary storage, but excludes those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal.
	The Hercules C1/C3(K) and VC10 fleets have been withdrawn from service and the TriStar fleet will be withdrawn from service by 31 March 2014.
	The number of aircraft available in individual fleets varies day-to-day according to normal fleet management activities. The following table shows the number of aircraft in each fleet, as a snapshot, on 11 March 2014.
	
		
			 Number 
			 Type Forward Fleet Depth Fleet 
			 Typhoon 85 32 
			 Tornado GR4 72 30 
			 Sentinel R1 3 2 
			 C-17A Globemaster 6 2 
			 Hercules C4/C5 (J) 15 9 
			 TriStar 6 0

Military Bases

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military bases and establishments in the UK are occupied by US visiting forces; how many US personnel are stationed at each; and what the name and rank of the commander is at each.

Mark Francois: The numbers of US military and civilian personnel, together with the name and rank of the US commander, at bases and establishments that are made available to the United States visiting forces are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Bases US commander Total US personnel 
			 RAF Croughton Colonel Hamilton 660 
			 RAF Fairford   
			 RAF Welford   
			 RAF Barford St John   
			    
			 RAF Lakenheath Colonel Robinson 4,700 
			 RAF Feltwell   
			    
			 RAF Menwith Hill Colonel Gilmore 1,000 
			    
			 RAF Mildenhall Colonel Bibb 3,430 
			    
			 RAF Molesworth Colonel Sweeney 620 
			 RAF Alconbury   
			    
			 Blenheim Crescent Colonel Gresham 210 
		
	
	The numbers of personnel have been rounded up and are current as of 15 February 2014.

MOD St Athan

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress his Department has made on its work at MOD St Athan.

Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence is undertaking assessment work to determine the footprint required to support the move of 14 Signals Regiment announced as part of the Army Basing plan.
	Department officials work closely with their Welsh Government counterparts to secure the future of the site for aerospace-related activities alongside the Department’s ongoing defence requirements. The latest meeting of the steering group was on 10 March 2014.

Navy: Deployment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons there are no Royal Navy vessels on duty in the Far East.

Mark Francois: The Royal Navy has no standing requirement to station a vessel permanently on duty in the Asia Pacific Region. Should there be a requirement, such as the deployment of HMS Daring and HMS Illustrious to the Philippines to support the disaster relief effort, the Royal Navy has a contingent capability to deploy to this region. HMS Daring also took part in the Royal Australian Navy's 100th Anniversary and a number of training opportunities in the Far East.

Navy: Deployment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of vessels are assigned to UK contingency operations; and at what notice each such type of vessel is held.

Mark Francois: The Royal Navy has a range of assets available at various states of readiness. We do not release information on the readiness levels of these units on the basis of safeguarding national security.

Navy: Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which types of unmanned aerial vehicles are (a) currently deployed by the Royal Navy and (b) being (i) procured and (ii) considered.

Philip Dunne: The Royal Navy has deployed the (unarmed) Scan Eagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and is currently running a two-year Capability Concept Demonstrator to look at the use of rotary wing UAS, which will include a demonstration from a Royal Navy ship in UK waters in late 2014. Other work being conducted by Navy Command and Joint Forces Command is considering the future utility of UAS, but no decisions on procuring specific aircraft have been made.

RAF Northolt

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made on RAF Northolt's fulfilment of its obligations under Regulation (EC) No. 1108/2009.

Andrew Murrison: Under the terms of (EC) No. 1108/2009 (Article 1, Paragraphs 2(b) and 2(c)), as a military aerodrome RAF Northolt is not bound by civilian regulation. However, the regulation requires that any military facilities open to public use offer a level of safety as effective as that required by (EC) No. 1108/2009.
	In order to satisfy this requirement, RAF Northolt is regulated and assured by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) through compliance with the MAA Military Regulatory Publications (MRP). As a result, all Ministry of Defence Aerodromes, including RAF Northolt, although not bound by, do meet the spirit and intent of Article 1, Paragraph 3 of (EC) No. 1108/2209.

Reserve Forces

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department was of promotional material for recruitment to each of the reserve forces in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry: The information requested will take time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.
	Substantive answer from Anna Soubry to Kevan Jones:
	Pursuant to the answer I gave you on 4 March 2014 (Official Report, column 814W), to your question on the cost to the Ministry of Defence of promotional material for recruitment to each of the reserve forces in each year since 2010, I am now able to provide you with an answer.
	The figures set out in the following table relate to physical materials produced for the purpose of supporting or promoting the recruitment of the Reserve forces; the figures of expenditure on the Army Reserve are included in the Capita RPP contract.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Financial year: 
			  2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (to date) 
			 Maritime Reserve 10,000 1— 266,000 57,000 
			 Army Reserve 2— 2— 2— 855,000 
			 Royal Auxiliary Air Force 15,488 41,604 30,602 89,650 
			 1 There is no identifiable spend on promotional materials for the Maritime Reserve for this year. 2 Figures are not available prior to the start of the current Recruiting Partnering Project contract. 
		
	
	These figures relate to identified spending from central budgets; local units may also have had funding for promotional materials, but such spending cannot be identified without disproportionate effort.
	I hope that this is helpful.

Russia

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for (a) Russian attendance and (b) Russian dialogues in the margins of the NATO Summit to be held in Wales in September 2014.

Andrew Murrison: Planning for the Wales Summit continues between the UK and NATO. The final attendance list and a decision on events in the margins of the Summit have yet to be finalised.

Trade Union Officials

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department provided for staff to carry out trade union activities in each of the last three years; and how many days staff spent on those activities in each of those years.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) makes certain facilities available to civilian employees who are accredited representatives, but not paid officials, of trade unions recognised by the Department. The amount of time off and the purposes for which it is allowed is in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice Time off for Trade Union duties and activities. This is recorded as facility time (FT).
	The MOD only began to record centrally the number of days and cost of funding trade union duties in 2013. For the period 1 April 2013 to 6 March 2014, the number of staff days spent on FT was 3,087 days, at a cost of some £377,000. In 2013 53 departmental staff were recorded as 100% FT, in 2014 this has reduced to 11 departmental staff.
	These figures do not include the FT provided to the MOD police, Royal Fleet Auxiliary or trading funds. They also do not include non-departmental public bodies who have their own agreements with the trade unions.
	Figures collected on the same base for earlier years are not available, but the Department has previously estimated that in the year 2011-12 some 27,060 staff days were spent on FT at a cost of £3.65 million.

Type 26 Frigates

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the procurement process of the Type 26; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when the key procurement decisions relating to the Type 26 frigate will be made; and if he will make a statement.

Philip Dunne: The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme is in its Assessment Phase. A detailed assessment of the work carried out during this phase will inform the main investment decision, which is expected towards the end of 2014.

Ukraine

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he has made to allocate UK troops to any UN deployment of troops to Ukraine.

Andrew Murrison: The UK has not made any specific provision to allocate UK troops to any potential UN deployment to the Ukraine.
	If a UN mission were authorised, the UK, along with other member states, would assess in the usual manner whether we wished to contribute.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2014, Official Report, column 33W, on unmanned air vehicles, if he will publish a complete list of countries to which his Department has sent pilots to operate unmanned aircraft. [R]

Mark Francois: The Army only operates Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), which are all unarmed, operationally in Afghanistan, and previously in Iraq. The Army has also conducted training of UAS operators in the following countries; UK, Israel, Jordan, Canada, USA and Kenya.

Veterans

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential cost of implementing the recommendations of the Veterans' Transition Review, published on 11 February 2014.

Anna Soubry: We are grateful to Lord Ashcroft for his efforts in producing a comprehensive review. Some of his recommendations are already in place, others are being taken forward through existing programmes of work, and many require cross-Government implementation. A comprehensive cost estimate is therefore not available.